Joanne Banh holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Diaspora and Transnational Studies, with minors in Environmental & Asian Geography from the University of Toronto, jointly completed at the National University of Singapore. Prior to joining the Munk School, Joanne worked in the international development, start-up, and non-profit sectors in cities across Canada and abroad. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy Program, she joins the lab after completing an internship with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services. In this role, she supported policy files within the Community Services Policy Unit related to gender-based violence, violence against women, as well as the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy. Joanne’s urban policy interests range from urban diasporic communities and placemaking, civic agency and participation, to the innovation economy, smart city development, and digitization.

Luca Dannetta holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Studies from Queen’s University. He joins the Lab after a summer internship with the Ontario Ministry of Energy, in the Strategic, Network & Agency Policy division, where he worked on issues around electrification & energy transition, long-term energy planning, climate-resilient energy systems, and system governance. His urban policy interests include everything at the intersection of urban policy and climate action, especially low-carbon urban transportation systems, urban design and housing policy for low-carbon communities, and climate adaptation for urban infrastructure.

Founder and Director

Gabriel Eidelman is founder and director of the Urban Policy Lab, and assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, where he teaches classes on urban governance and public policy. His research focuses on cities and urban governance in North America, and has been published in the journals Cities, Urban Affairs Review, and the Journal of Urban Affairs. For more information, visit his personal website here.

Affiliated Faculty

Bill Forward is a Fellow in the Master of Public Policy program. He recently served as Acting Director of the Mowat Centre. Previously, he served a number of years in the Ontario Public Service, including as Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

Read more about Bill here.

Affiliated Faculty

Larissa Katz is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law and holds the Canada Research Chair in Private Law Theory. She teaches “Property Law and Cities” in the Master of Public Policy program,

Read more about Larissa’s work here.

Affiliated Faculty

Darius Ornston, an Assistant Professor at the Munk School, teaches in the Master of Global Affairs program and specializes in the political economy of Nordic Europe. He is currently examining the politics of innovation at the municipal level with projects on regional branding and large firms in small communities.

Read more about Darius’ work here.

Affiliated Faculty

Richard Stren, Emeritus Professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow at the Global Cities Institute, teaches urban policy in the Master of Public Policy program. He has written or edited 18 books in both English and French, and more than 60 articles and book chapters on cities and comparative urban policy.

Affiliated Faculty

Dan Zuberi is RBC Chair and Professor of Social Policy at the Munk School, with a joint appointment to the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. His research focuses on urban poverty, health, education, employment and social welfare. His most recent book is entitled (Re)Generating Inclusive Cities: Poverty and Planning in Urban North America (Routledge, 2018).

Read more about Dan’s work here.

Stephanie Bertolo holds a Bachelor of Arts & Science with a minor in Community Engagement Studies from McMaster University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab after completing an internship at Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure where she examined the economic and social impact of investments across infrastructure sectors, including long-term care, education, and transportation. Stephanie’s urban policy interests include public transportation, affordable housing, and safe street design.

Erin Mierdel holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy Program, she joins the lab after completing an internship with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This is role, she examined environmental stewardship policy in the agri-food sector, including opportunities for clean fuel use and circular economy strategies for agri-waste. Erin’s urban policy interests include clean energy initiatives, low-carbon design and environmental innovation.

Madison Leisk holds a Bachelor of Political Studies (Hons.) from Queen’s University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab after completing a summer internship at the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). Madison is a co-author of CUI’s ’COVID Signpost 100 Days,’ which examines the first hundred days of COVID-19 in urban Canada. Her primary urban policy interests include the future of work and the strengthening of local economies.

Jolene Funk holds a Bachelor of Health Studies (Hons.) from York University. She brings with her several years of experience working in community health promotion in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab and will be completing her summer internship at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board developing the Sustainable Investing Report. Jolene’s urban policy interests include environmental policy and sustainability, the role of physical space in health and wellbeing, and the future of work in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.

Aidan Carroll holds a B.A. from McGill University in Political Science, Anthropology and Communication Studies. He is currently enrolled in his second year of the Master of Public Policy program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Aidan joins the Lab from the Region of Peel’s Human Services department where he worked on the Housing and Homelessness Services Transformation project team. As a member of this team, Aidan researched and designed new client pathways including a coordinated access system for chronically homeless individuals and families. He also helped the team make recommendations on organization-wide policy and process changes based on jurisdictional research and stakeholder engagement sessions. Aidan is interested in the intersection between levels of government, streamlining service delivery and providing practicable policy solutions to pressing societal issues.

Sam Jerez holds a B.A. (with high distinction) in Sociology and Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto. Now in his second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, he joins the Lab after an internship with the Region of Peel’s Housing Development Unit, where he assisted with the development and implementation of a Housing Master Plan to guide the region’s investments in affordable housing, including supportive and transitional housing. Sam’s urban policy interests include affordable housing, poverty reduction, neighbourhood equity improvement, and the role of artistic expression in promoting community well-being.