March 8, 2025 marked International Women’s Day under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” Climate Positive Energy is pleased to recognize and support women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) year-round through our multidisciplinary research program, which engages researchers across all three University of Toronto campuses. To mark International Women’s Day 2025, we are pleased to share the research journey of University of Toronto Scarborough Professor Irena Creed.
Creed is an ecosystem scientist and her research spans planetary health, climate change, ecology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, sustainability, communities at risk, and the science-policy interface. She is internationally recognized for her innovative approach to linking hydrological and biogeochemical processes with ecological outcomes in freshwater systems, including wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes.
Creed is a first generation Canadian, and a first generation academic. She holds three degrees, all granted from the University of Toronto: “I did my undergrad in zoology, my master’s in botany, and then my PhD in geography.”
“Because of the opportunities afforded by being able to go to university, I learned that I love to explore new places of the world to really understand the human condition; and part of understanding the human condition is that you recognize how vulnerable people can be due to things like climate change.” Creed explains that when she was a student, the global challenge concerning her generation was acid rain. “I found myself wanting to address societal challenges in a way that placed people front and centre.”
After becoming a professor, Creed discovered multiple leadership opportunities. She was motivated to support the research and scholarship of those around her, and served as Canada Research Chair and director of a research institute at Western University (2014–2017), Executive Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability (2017-2019) and Associate Vice-President Research (2019-2021) at University of Saskatchewan, and Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation at UTSC (2021–2024).
“Now, I am beginning an exciting new chapter. The opportunities for research that are going to combat climate change and the climate emergency are so vast, and I want to fully immerse in them.”
This chapter, which Creed points out is not her final one, sees her delving into natural climate solutions. Natural climate solutions are actions to protect, manage, and restore nature to store carbon while reducing greenhouse gase emissions. Creed is leading an international network on freshwater wetlands as natural climate solutions. The network involves 23 faculty members from across the country, as well as experts from the United States and Europe. The group is focusing on exploring the evidence base for whether wetlands – considered the most threatened ecosystem on the planet – could be protected and restored to help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Creed is also initiating work on rivers as natural climate solutions.
“Natural climate solutions are a major component of my research right now, work that is clearly time-sensitive,” explains Creed. “It is urgent because nations, including Canada, must submit their annual national greenhouse gas inventory reports. Currently, wetlands are not included in these reports, so government agencies approached us academics to ask if we could help generate the evidence base to determine whether wetlands are a viable natural climate solution. It is a privilege to work alongside research scientists from the federal government to co-create the research, ensuring that the findings are presented in a form that can be easily understood and used by end users; in this case, governments working to address climate change.”
Having served in both research and administrative leadership roles, Creed has advanced her work with a strategic mind. “Leadership comes in many forms, whether through administrative work, personal scholarship, or leading major research initiatives. Regardless of the context, whether within a university administration or leading a large-scale grant, it is important to be strategic especially in a rapidly changing environment.”
Creed explains how leading the international wetland network involves both administration and scholarship: “My approach is like navigating a ship: you want to ensure it stays on course. As the lead investigator, I feel a responsibility to deliver the outputs and outcomes that the government needs.” As a leader, Creed creates opportunities for individuals to form sub-teams on topics relevant to government priorities. She looks for potential synergies and works to remove barriers, whether they stem from a lack of funding or the need for specialized talent that isn’t available locally. “Essentially, leading a major international grant is about fostering a creative, integrative, and purpose-driven research environment. In this case, the purpose is to generate evidence to support natural climate solutions—and, where necessary, to secure funding and build collaborative teams.”
“As a leader, I believe effective administration is as important as the research itself. One challenge I face is that scientists traditionally work in silos or within their own research groups. It often takes extra effort to create spaces where people from different disciplines can collaborate and engage in more synergistic work. It’s equally important to ensure that research findings are translated into forms that are useful and accessible to end users, in this case, government, but also industry and local communities.”
Creed speaks to the importance of community in giving her the confidence to excel in her career: “I realize that while things have changed over the past few decades, some challenges remain, they just express themselves differently. That’s why it’s so important to foster a sense of community and to have a network of mentors, supporters, and people who are going through similar experiences. One of the things I feel incredibly fortunate about, as an academic working internationally, is the network of women and others who are deeply supportive. Even if I only see them once a year – or once every ten years – I know they are there, and their presence can be a tremendous source of encouragement during difficult times.”
“When I reflect on earning my Ph.D. or starting my first academic job, both times as the first or only woman in the research group or department, I remember feeling like an outsider, as though I didn’t fully belong. Having endured those experiences, I am now committed to making things easier for others […] Initially, I never wanted my gender to influence how I’m perceived or the work that I do. And yet, we are all shaped by who we are. I am a woman, and I’m proud to be one.”
Creed explains she wants to break down the barriers that make people feel excluded through fostering an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can reach their fullest potential. Having faced barriers throughout her academic journey, it is important to her to dismantle those obstacles for others who are navigating the system today.
To future women and girls who want to pursue leadership roles, Creed gives the following advice: “If you’re passionate about something, stay the course. To lead is to break new ground, and breaking new ground almost always comes with resistance or challenges. Surround yourself with trusted voices, people who boost your confidence, serve as sounding boards, and motivate you when you’re feeling discouraged. And, of course, cherish those who simply make life more joyful.”
To learn more about Professor Creed, visit her website: https://discover.research.utoronto.ca/32110-irena-creed