York geography Professor Philip Kelly has received the 2006 Julian M. Szeicz Award for his contributions to development studies in Southeast Asia.
The award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) in recognition of significant achievements by a Canadian geographer at an early career stage. Kelly was presented with the award during the CAG annual meeting at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay on June 2.
Left: Philip Kelly
Kelly’s work has focused on the effects of globalization and urbanization on labour processes in Southeast Asia, in particular the Philippines. Currently, his research examines the employment experiences of Filipino immigrants settling in Toronto and the effects of migration on source areas in the Philippines.
“In this business one never quite feels one has done enough – there’s always a long list of projects and ambitions in the pipeline – so it was a real honour to be recognized by my peers in this way,” says Kelly.
Kelly’s nominators for the award noted his outstanding contributions to Canadian geography, and his role in the field of Southeast Asian studies.
“I’m very conscious of how many talented young scholars there are among Canadian geographers, so it was a particular honour to be singled out,” says Kelly, who has been conducting research in a town outside Manila this summer. “The CAG award is the greatest honour I have been bestowed since I was elected an honorary citizen of [Manila] in 1995!”