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Promoting science is all in a day's work for bee expert
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Mark Winston, 604.291.4459; mark_winston@sfu.ca
Mark Winston, 604.291.4459; mark_winston@sfu.ca
November 17, 2004
SFU's resident 'bee man' is being honoured as one of the country's top science promoters. Biology professor Mark Winston is the recipient of a 2004 Michael Smith award, presented annually by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for outstanding achievements in the promotion of science in Canada. The $5,000 prize and medal will be awarded at a ceremony at Science World on Nov. 22.
An acclaimed scholar in the field of insect communication,Winston's longstanding commitment to “getting the message out about science” by personalizing it and stimulating dialogue and debate, fulfills more than a scientific obligation, he says. “I love communicating,” he concedes. “I love writing about science and talking about it. I love the 'back and forthing' with audiences. It's a way for me to pursue my inherent curiosity about the world around me.”
Winston says gauging public audiences also helps him to see his own science in a much bigger picture. “It helps me to reflect on my own work as a researcher, and set directions,” he says.
The author of internationally lauded books, Winston's achievements outside the lab as a science communicator are rivalling those of his ground-breaking work inside, where bees remain his passion. In 2001, he received the academic of the year award from the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC for his contributions to the public. Awards for his research include prestigious Fulbright and Killam fellowships.
Winston's work as a communicator continues to expand through his role as director of the undergraduate semester program at SFU's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The program is designed to spark dialogue among students on public issues and encourage creative thinking. In all of his endeavours he continues to urge students and others to participate in critical dialogue about social issues.
Others receiving a 2004 Michael Smith award, named after the late biochemist and Nobel Laureate, include Sid Katz of UBC, Philip J. Currie of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta, the Canadian Association for Girls in Science and the Deep River Science Academy, a mentoring program for high school science and engineering students, both based in Ontario.
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Website:
Natural Science & Engineering Research Council: www.nserc.gc.ca/index.htm
An acclaimed scholar in the field of insect communication,Winston's longstanding commitment to “getting the message out about science” by personalizing it and stimulating dialogue and debate, fulfills more than a scientific obligation, he says. “I love communicating,” he concedes. “I love writing about science and talking about it. I love the 'back and forthing' with audiences. It's a way for me to pursue my inherent curiosity about the world around me.”
Winston says gauging public audiences also helps him to see his own science in a much bigger picture. “It helps me to reflect on my own work as a researcher, and set directions,” he says.
The author of internationally lauded books, Winston's achievements outside the lab as a science communicator are rivalling those of his ground-breaking work inside, where bees remain his passion. In 2001, he received the academic of the year award from the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC for his contributions to the public. Awards for his research include prestigious Fulbright and Killam fellowships.
Winston's work as a communicator continues to expand through his role as director of the undergraduate semester program at SFU's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. The program is designed to spark dialogue among students on public issues and encourage creative thinking. In all of his endeavours he continues to urge students and others to participate in critical dialogue about social issues.
Others receiving a 2004 Michael Smith award, named after the late biochemist and Nobel Laureate, include Sid Katz of UBC, Philip J. Currie of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta, the Canadian Association for Girls in Science and the Deep River Science Academy, a mentoring program for high school science and engineering students, both based in Ontario.
-30-
Website:
Natural Science & Engineering Research Council: www.nserc.gc.ca/index.htm