Canadian-American Center Sends Students to 2026 Comparative Borders Conference in Toronto, Ontario
University of Maine graduate students, Anna Shantz and Leif Walker, attended the 2026 Comparative Borders Conference at Brock University in Toronto, Ontario, from March 27 to March 28. Their attendance was made possible with funding from the Canadian-American Center.
At the conference, they presented their research, 鈥淭ariff Impacts in a Borderland Economy: Evidence from Maine鈥檚 Lumber Industry,鈥 and participated in a panel discussion with students from Brock University, Niagara University, and Western Washington University. By highlighting the economic realities of cross-border dependence, the panel generated questions regarding the direction of future research and the feasibility of domestic lumber production in the United States
By examining the economic realities of cross-border dependence, the conference emphasized broader borderland themes, including cross-border economic systems, migration, and regional identity. Through engagement with students and conference presenters, focus was placed on diverse border regions, which reinforced the importance of examining trade policy at the regional level. As representatives of the Maine Business School and IGNITE, Anna and Leif received strong feedback on their work and built meaningful connections with peers who have researched similar issues, increasing the value of interdisciplinary perspectives in studying borderland economies.
To learn more about the Comparative Borders Conference, and to see upcoming events visit Brock University’s webpage at the following link:
