Ryan Durante (he/him) is a PhD student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. His research is currently exploring the emerging tensions over access to water resources in transboundary regions and the potential for conflict in longstanding cooperative relationships in the face of accelerating climate change. After completing his BA at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ryan worked for various non-profits in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region which continued his advocacy for human rights, equity, and justice for all.

In 2023 Ryan completed his Master of International Public Policy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, specializing in Global Migration and International Economic Relations. During his masters, Ryan focused on Global South exploitation and how the intersecting pillars of conflict, capitalism, and the climate crisis create multi-pronged challenges on Global South nations and its people. During this time Ryan was a Research Assistant with the International Migration Research Centre and the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada, primarily focusing on the impact of climate migration and Canada’s role in the Green Transition.

After graduating, Ryan continued his research focusing on climate change and conflict and joined the Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters, an international research center that addresses regional needs for water resource management and supporting community and ecosystem sustainability as a Graduate Research Fellow. Through the Global Center, Ryan is continuing to focus on transboundary water conflict and how local communities can best mitigate climate change-induced conflict in transboundary water systems.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys bike riding, playing MMORPG games, and catching Old Hollywood films at the Princess Cinema.