Photo of Victoria Fast; she has brown hair and brown eyes, is seated, and wearing a green jacket.

Dr. Victoria Fast

Positions

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts, Department of Geography

Affiliations

Associate Member

O'Brien Institute for Public Health

Teaching Academy

Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

Contact information

Email

victoria.fast@ucalgary.ca

Web presence

LinkedIn

Department of Geography

Accessible Mapping Research Lab

For media enquiries, contact

mediarequests@ucalgary.ca

Background

Educational Background

Doctor of Philosophy Environmental Applied Science and Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2015

Master of Arts Geography, Brock University, 2011

Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Training Athabasca University, 2023

Biography

My research and teaching encompass the fields of geographic information science (GISci), human geography, and urban studies.

I lead the Accessible Mapping and Mobilities research lab with a distinctive vision: to embed accessibility considerations not only in our cities but also in our data and analysis, mapping technologies, educational curriculums, and urban standards. By melding rigorous academic research with hands-on teaching and community engagement, we contribute to the development of cities and societies that are welcoming, accessible, and supportive of the well-being of all.

Drawing upon expertise in mapping, modeling, spatial analysis, geovisualization, participatory GIS, and volunteered geographic information, my research team and I are dedicated to creating vibrant, safe, and inclusive urban and digital environments. We study things like sidewalk conditions, urban and building accessibility, urban density, pedestrian collisions, accessible mobility, and active transit.

Currently, my research focuses on understanding and dismantling the barriers that impede the full participation of individuals with disabilities in both our physical and digital environments. To achieve this, we are developing measurable targets and standards to identify barriers. Collaborating closely with communities and industry, we co-create evidence-based indicators to support cities in their transition towards a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future for all residents. To aid designers, planners, and policy-makers, we integrate these metrics into software tools that evaluate pedestrian accessibility, walkability, safety, social determinants of health, and other vital attributes of the built environment.

By bridging the gap between research and practical implementation, our aim is to contribute to the development of urban environments that are truly welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of the well-being of all citizens.

Research

Areas of Research

Accessibility Mapping, Digital Justice in the Smart City, Volunteered Geographic Information, Crowdsourcing, and Participatory Mapping

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Human dynamics in a changing world

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
UBST 591 Capstone in Urban Studies ongoing
GEOG 695 Seminar in Geographic Research Methods. Versions taught include: Mobility Justice. Accessible Geographies. GIS and Public Health. Community GIS. ongoing
GEOG 681 & 683 Geographic Information Systems Project: Theoretical Issues (681) & Application (683) ongoing
GEOG 280 Thinking Spatially in a Digital World ongoing
GEOG 588 Urban GIS ongoing

Projects

Mapping Our Cities for All (MOCA)

A Research Study on City Accessibility from the Perspective of People with Disabilities. https://accessnow.com/moca/ 

Accessibility Mapping at Vancouver Island University
Photo of VIU's new campus map with Dr. Victoria Fast standing in front of it.
Image of VIU's new campus map

Awards

  • Spirit of Brock Medal, Brock University. 2007
  • Gold Medal, Toronto Metropolitan University. 2015
  • Faculty Research Recognition Award, Schulich School of Engineering. 2019
  • Experiential Learning Project in Sustainability Award, The University of Calgary. 2019
  • Teaching Award for Experiential Learning, University of Calgary. 2022
  • Teaching Award: Emerging Teacher, University of Calgary Faculty of Arts. 2022

Publications

Google Scholar

In the News