Paul Williams

Associate Professor (Geography and Environmental Studies)

Paul Williams is an Associate Professor specializing in cultural and historical geography, with a particular focus on post-industrial landscapes. He holds degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Wales (Cardiff) and Queen’s University. 

Williams’ expertise centres on the relationships between place, nation and identity, and how meanings associated with places evolve. He developed the concept of “place-biography,” which examines how the life history of a place contributes to changing interpretations and cultural significance. His work frequently focuses on heritage sites and their roles in shaping local, regional and national identity. 

More recently, Williams’ research explores post-industrial landscapes, with an emphasis on documenting and recovering cultural memory. He actively collaborates with undergraduate students on research initiatives, integrating teaching and research through experiential approaches. 

Williams’ current and planned projects include digital historical atlases of significant Ottawa landscapes, reflecting his interest in combining research, teaching and public engagement to deepen understanding of place and its transformations.