Laura Boyd-Clowes

l.boyd.clowes@gmail.com

Gardener, researcher, writer, foodie. Creative extrovert with experience in

multiple sectors. Committed to sustainable development, resilient
agriculture, and improving local food systems. Interested in collaborative
social experiments, economics, art/design, DIY and bicycles. Seeking
work experience in horticulture and agriculture.
B.A. Honors Philosophy, MSc Ethnobotany with Distinction
Selected Work Experience

Gardener, Pixie Gardens, Calgary, 2016

-

Maintenance of ornamental and edible beds

Transplanting, tree care, pruning, edging, planting bulbs, pest and

disease management

Used and maintained power tools

Working collaboratively with crew members

Working efficiently within time restraints

Landscaper, Eco-Yards, Calgary, 2016

- Softscape installations according to design plan, including soil and mulch
installation, planting and garden maintenance

Farm manager and intern, Abbondanza Farm, Mansonville QC, 2010, 2011,
2015
-

Organizing and supervising workers

Maintaining facilities and equipment including greenhouse, compost,

hand and power tools

Planting, harvesting and pest management for wide variety of vegetable

crops, herbs and flowers

Tending to chickens and sheep, processing animals for meat

Sales at market, accounting, upkeep and procuring necessary
materials for market stall

Cooking and hospitality for workshop participants and other guests

Working independently, prioritizing tasks and managing time

Fieldwork and research, Global Diversity Foundation, High Atlas Morocco,

2014

Manager, KITCH Caf, Canterbury, 2013-2014

Research assistant for Dr. Matthew Barker, Philosophy of Science, Concordia

University, 2012

Research assistant Dr. Justin Smith, History and Philosophy of Science,

Concordia University and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, 20092011

Gardener with Four Seasons Plus Landscaping, 2011

Sales, Kensington Wine Market, Calgary, 2007-2010

Academics:

Awarded Annual Ethnobotany Prize for Outstanding Achievement in a Masters

Dissertation for Land, Inequality and Community: livelihoods and the
transition toward fruit arboriculture in a Moroccan High Atlas Village
University of Kent, 2014

Honors Thesis in Philosophy, History of Attunement: Goethean Science and

the Seed Savers Ideal, Concordia University, 2012

Assistant organizer of conference, The Life Sciences in Early Modern

Philosophy', Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, May 2011

Panelist at Philopolis, a two-day city-wide philosophy festival What is New

Media good for? March 2011, McGill, Montreal

Presentation at NiRC (National Integrated Research Conference) Plant Life

Support System: Socio-Technical integration report March 2011, McGill,
Montreal

Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Competition, Northeast regionals, held by APPE

(Association for Practical and Professional Ethics) November 2010, Dartmouth
College, New Hampshire

Presentation at NiCHEs Canadian History and Environment Summer School

2010 Systematic Growth: Radical Ecology and New Media Experimentation
May 2010, Montreal

Presentation at Concordias Undergraduate Research Day Plant Life

Support System: Creating new forms of human-plant interaction April 2010,
Montreal

Research in collaboration with Topological Media Lab Plant Life Support

System project, Ongoing, Montreal

Tutoring for undergraduate philosophy students, 2008-2012

Volunteer and Community Work

Volunteer for Seeds of Diversity Potato Crop Trials, Freighligsburg, QC, 2015

 Focus group facilitator, High Atlas Foundation, Marrakech 2014

Organizer and Public Relations for Occupy Montreal, 2011
Concordia Greenhouse, 2008-2012
CISV is an international youth-run NGO that promotes peace through crosscultural friendships and leadership training. It is self-governed, meaning its
members (aged 11-21) are elected to run activities, organize meetings and
travel around the world as ambassadors to their countries:
- CISV Calgarys Junior Chair, 2004 & 2005
- CISV Calgarys Senior Chair, 2006
- Camp counsellor in Ast-Ager Norway, July 2005
- Travelled as delegate in interchange with Osaka, Japan, 2002-2003

Editor-in-chief of student-run newsletter, Queen Elizabeth High School

2006-2007

Awards and Scholarships

Research grant, University of Kent Department

Conservation, 2014. Amount awarded: 600

Sustainability Action Fund: Special Projects Funding Grant for Plant Life
Support System, Sustainable Concordia, Concordia University, 2009-2010.
Amount awarded: $5000

Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for High School achievement, Government of

Alberta, 2007. Amount awarded: $2500

of

Anthropology

and

Theatre/Performance:

Interpreter in This Situation by Tino Seghal at the Muse d'art

Contemporain. 2013, Montral

Curator and Producer, Concordia Universitys Art Matters Festival Cave

Conventions 2010, Montreal

Mentorship Program with Theatre Junction at The Grand Theatre 2006-2007,

Calgary

Stage manager, QE Musical Theatre productions 2004-2006, Calgary

Bicycling

Volunteer at Right To Move Bicycle Co-Op, 2010-2013

Member of Concordias Bike2Farm program, 2009-2012

Pacific Coast Cycling Tour: Vancouver to Monterey, 2008

Education
2013-2014 Masters of Science in Ethnobotany with Distinction at University of Kent,
Canterbury, UK
2007-2012 Undergraduate degree from Concordia University. Honors with
distinction in Philosophy, Montreal, Canada
2001-2007 Gifted and Talented Education, Queen Elizabeth High School, Calgary
Languages: English, French, studying Tachelhit