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Student researcher and community advocate recognized with two environmental leadership awards
Sustainable business student, Riley Williams, is the recent recipient of a Surrey and White Rock Top 25 under 25 Award and a City of Burnaby 2026 Environmental Star Award in recognition of his efforts to understand and address the environmental crisis.
Driven by his goal to be an advocate for animals and natural environments, Williams has spent his time in the joint major program seeking opportunities to better understand the systems that harm our planet and mobilize this knowledge.
Williams is an active member of multiple research and lab groups at 51猎奇入口and multi-institution groups like the Balance Co-Lab. Across these groups, he works to improve knowledge at the foundation of future climate and equity solutions by advancing understandings of Indigenous sovereignty, resource economics and more.
鈥淚 was always fascinated with different ideas and topics and thought about them quite a bit. Then, in my second year, I had a lightbulb moment: this is what drives researchers, too. This led me to explore opportunities for undergraduate students,鈥� says Williams.
Now in his fourth year, Williams has even researched the potential harm using AI poses to Indigenous knowledge systems.
鈥淲hen using AI in research regarding Indigenous knowledge systems, it is thought to misrepresent Indigenous ways of knowing, which may lead to the perpetuation of certain biases for the groups affected by the research,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving already worked with a professor in Indigenous research, we were in a perfect position to take on this topic.鈥�
Beyond the research community, he鈥檚 also a member of the PEAK, SFU鈥檚 student newspaper, where he shares knowledge on his interests in corporate responsibility and sustainability with the wider student community.
鈥淩esearch is what leads to solutions to the climate crisis; understanding exactly what we need to do is fundamental if any progress is to be made,鈥� he says. 鈥淗owever, it is not only important to discover innovative ways to approach difficult problems, but to share that knowledge with those putting it into practice. A substantial aspect of my effort is the translational piece between research and practice, and I believe that this bridge between two different worlds is where the most impact can be made.鈥�
He鈥檚 also no stranger to rolling up his sleeves to make an impact in local communities, organizing and participating in forest and park clean-up events throughout Metro Vancouver.
It's this multidisciplinary approach to change that has garnered Williams multiple awards this year.
The Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade鈥檚 Top 25 Under 25 Awards celebrate remarkable individuals under the age of 25 who are driving positive change through business, entrepreneurship or community projects.
Williams is proud to receive the award and feels that it validates his work and the work of many others in the Faculty 鈥� but he鈥檚 not slowing down.
鈥淭his award motivates me to do more and shows I can keep achieving while contributing to a more just world,鈥� he says.
The City of Burnaby鈥檚 2026 Environmental Star Award celebrates Williams鈥� leadership, innovation and impact 
in advancing environmental sustainability and resilience.
Specifically, Williams was recognized for his community stewardship efforts, something he views as integral to advancing positive environmental change.
鈥淐ommunity stewardship is an important component of my theory of change because climate change impacts all of us regardless of our occupation,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 believe that ensuring the people you are trying to help are involved in the efforts is important to the success of any movement.鈥�
Having found success, community and purpose mobilizing his interests through research and community engagement efforts both on and off campus, Williams encourages others to explore opportunities to do the same.
鈥淚 thought research was only for advanced students, such as master's or PhDs; that鈥檚 not true. It is meant for anyone interested in the topic, willing to take it seriously and driven to learn the necessary skills to contribute to the field,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 sent a cold email to a professor I thought was doing interesting work, and she was more than happy to help. I still work with her to this day, and she has quite literally changed my life and career trajectory.鈥�
This fall, Williams is planning to launch the Student Research Conversation through the PEAK to provide an opportunity for students to get more involved with the research community and encourage them to share information on their research, technical or theoretical interests. The goal, he explains, is to offer students paid opportunities to publish their work while gaining key science communication skills.
鈥淎ll students in the Faculty of Environment will be particularly well suited for this initiative, as we all have specific, often technical, interests related to the environment, whether in biology, conservation science, GIS, geology and more. However, we encourage students from all faculties to contribute, so if you know anyone who may be interested, encourage them to publish with us!鈥�
Curious to know more about the Student Research Conversation? Keep an eye on your FENV Student Update newsletter this fall.