Scholarly Research and Creative Activity

Kerr Hall Mural, Dave Upham Photographer

George Thomas Kapelos' research focuses on the interrelationship between humans and their environments, through critical investigations of architecture, landscape, and urbanism in the modern and post-modern period. Themes of phenomenology, health and environment, and Canadian modernity are explored.  Research outcomes, including refereed publications, developed through conference presentations, exhibitions, charrettes, symposia and funded research, have considered ideas of nature, human imaginings and constructions of the built and natural world, diachronically and synchronically, and human perceptions and understanding of community, place and time. Studies of health and environment have focused on environmental health, specifically the linkage between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and skin cancer.  Considered works of architecture, landscape and urbanism can mitigate effects of harmful UVR; and funded projects engaging research-into-practice have provided direction on policy, practice and application for UVR mitigation to public health agencies, urban planners and cancer prevention advocacy groups. Scholarship of teaching has focused on engagement of students with critical research issues and their application in the classroom and studio setting.

In all cases, explorations of human occupation make continued and deliberate reference to the specifics of the Canadian and Toronto context. Subjects of modernity, construction and design are explored with reference to Canadian, culture, built works and praxis.

A description of research and scholarship of teaching follows.  For further information or details, please direct inquiries to George Thomas Kapelos at Ryerson University.