controversial scholar
SFU psychologist Charles Crawford won the 2002 Ted and Nora Sterling prize for controversy — an award unique among Canadian universities — for his academic integrity and steadfastness in the face of extreme dissent.
Throughout his career, Crawford has raised important but unpopular issues in the classroom, academic journals, the media and public forums. He has offered evidence-based opinions on controversial topics ranging from the roots of sex differences in behaviour and ability, to the cause of anorexia.
Barry Beyerstein, chair of the selection committee, says the Sterling prize is central to the role that universities should play in society, recognizing and honouring those "who swim against the tide of popular opinion and challenge entrenched authority or prejudice with reason and evidence. The committee was unanimous in its decision that Charles Crawford exemplifies the highest standards of that tradition."
Ted Sterling, the founding chair of computing science at SFU, and his wife Nora established the award in 1993.
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