18222265 visits

BSc (UWO), HBSc (UWO),
PhD (Laval)

Assistant Professor

Department of Biology
Faculty of Science
and
Faculty of Education
University of Ottawa

Science Education and
Science Communication
(Ecology, Evolution and
Environmental Science)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Professeur adjoint

Département de biologie
Faculté des sciences
et
Faculté de l’Éducation
Université d’Ottawa

Pédagogie scientifique et communication scientifique
(Écologie, Évolution et Sciences
Environnementales)

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Dr. Brown

graduate.Academic History

1998-2005: Ph.D. in the pollination ecology of cloudberry and cranberry. Department of Biology, Laval University in Quebec City, QC.

1996-1998: B.Sc. (Honours standing) in Ecology and Evolution. Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario in London, Ont.

1992-1996: B.Sc. in Biology and Environmental Science. Department of Plant Science, University of Western Ontario in London, Ont.

1987-1992: French and English bilingual OSSD. Central Secondary School in London, Ont.

1979-1987: French language primary school diploma. École Alexandra in London, Ont.

Appointments, Awards, Grants, Scholarships, Nominations and other Distinctions

2022: National finalist for Nature Inspiration Award in the individual category, from the Canadian Museum of Nature.

2021: Excellence in Teaching Award, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa.

2021: Adjunct Professor for the Graduate program in Science Communication at Laurentian University, Ontario.

2021: Recipient of two grants from eCampus Ontario to make high-quality nature documentaries for zoology and animal behaviour classes.  Amount funded was $49,400.

2020: Associate member of the uOttawa research group on the Advancement of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ASOTL).

2018-2020: Director of the Board and Co-Chair of the Teaching Section for the Canadian Botanical Association.

2017: Affiliate Professor with the Institute of the Environment at the University of Ottawa.

2017: National finalist for Nature Inspiration Award in the individual category, from the Canadian Museum of Nature.

2017-pres: Virtual Expert (Expert virtuel) contributing to the education of franco-Ontarian High School Science classes through online interactive lessons.

2016: Cross-appointed Professor to the Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa.

2016: Associate Member of the McGill Office for Science and Society.

2012: Nominated for a Capital Educators’ Award, Ottawa.

2010: Grant for greening the festival practices at the Ottawa Folk Festival from TD Friends of the Environment Fund, on behalf of the OFF Green Initiatives Committee.  The value was $8,000.

2009-2010: Grant for the development of French-language pedagogical resources at the University of Ottawa from the Centre for University Teaching.  Value was $16,590.

2006-2007: Grant for development of French-language pedagogical resources at the University of Ottawa from the Office of the Associate Vice-President Academic. Value was $34,500.

2004: Travel grant from the Centre de Recherche en Biologie Forestière to attend a pollination biology meeting of the Royal Society of London, England. Value was $1700.

2004: “Star Teacher” award from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Laval University.

2004: Richard Bernard award for academic excellence in the Department of Biology at Laval University. Value was $1500.

2001: Finalist for the best oral presentations at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Quebec in Beloeil, QC.

2001-2003: Scholarship for academic excellence in a Ph.D. program from NSERC PGS-B. Value was $38,200.

2000-2001: Scholarship for academic excellence in a Ph.D. program from the Fondation de l’Université Laval. Value was $11,500.

1999: Second place for the best oral presentations at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Quebec in Hull, QC.

1998-2000: Scholarship for academic excellence in a Master’s program from CORPAQ and MAPAQ. Value was $18,000.

Employment History

2007-pres.: Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa with the title of Science Lecturer (Continuing Special Appointment Professor).

2006-2007: Replacement Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa.

2004-2006: Post-doctoral fellow for research on wild berry plant pollination and fruiting ecology in northern habitats. Centre de Recherche Les Buissons, North Shore of Quebec.

2002-2004: Translation of documents from French to English.

  • Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Laval University (2002-2003)
  • Dept. of Biology at Laval University (2004)
  • Pesca Environment consulting agency in Gaspesia, QC (2004)
  • HRI Inc. hotel and restaurant publications in Quebec City, QC (2005)

2003: Lecturer and Laboratory Instructor for “An Introduction to Entomology” in the Department of Biology at Laval University.

2002: Laboratory Instructor for “Plant Form and Function” in the Department of Biology at Laval University.

1997-2002: Teacher’s Assistant for laboratory instruction in the Departments of Plant Science at the University of Western Ontario and the Department of Biology at Laval University.

  • An Introduction to Biology (UWO, 1997, 1998)
  • Plants as a Human Resource (UWO, 1998)
  • An Introduction to Entomology (Laval, 1998)
  • Vertebrate Evolution (Laval, 1999-2002)
  • Plant Form and Function (Laval 1999-2001)

1998: Field Research Assistant on pollination ecology of cloudberry for the Ministry of Agriculture of Quebec (MAPAQ) on the North Shore, QC.

1998: Insect Museum Curator for the Department of Zoology at the University of Western Ontario.

1997: Field Research Assistant on a songbird ecology study for the US Forestry Service in Ohio, USA.

1996: Naturalist for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at Bon Echo Provincial Park in Cloyne, Ont.

Mentoring and Advising

Faculty advisor for Certificate in University Teaching (offered by the Teaching and Learning Support Service, uOttawa):

  • 2019: Tiffany Bretzlaff

Ph.D. (Faculty of Education):

  • 2022- : Paul Godden

M.A. (Faculty of Education):

  • 2021-2022: Paul Chiu
  • 2018-2019: Debora Pereira
  • 2018 -2023: Bridget Moore

M.E.S. (Master’s of Environmental Sustainability, uOttawa Institute of the Environment):

  • 2022- : Michaela McKennitt
  • 2018-2019: Sara Dubé
  • 2018-2019: Aaron Levine

Ph.D. (Environmental Sustainability, uOttawa Institute of the Environment):

  • 2022- : Paul Chiu

Thesis Committee membership:

  • Munizah Khan (M.Ed.) Faculty of Education
  • Bailey Bedard (M.Sc.) Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) at uOttawa:

  • 2018-2019: Si Yu Zhang

Honours research projects (Dept. of Biology, uOttawa):

  • 2022-2023: Atirah Ally, Science Education
  • 2022-2023: Shady Sartaj, Science Education
  • 2022-2023: Saja Terier, Science Education/Science Communication
  • 2022-2023: Antoine Abou Sleiman, Science Education/Science Communication
  • 2021-2022: Oana Mirel, Science Communication/Science Education
  • 2021-2022: Savannah Campbell, Science Education
  • 2021-2022: Katelyn Day, Science Education
  • 2021-2022: Heather Potkins, Science Education
  • 2021-2022: Rebecca Savioli, Science Education
  • 2020-2021: Pouyan Ghaytasvand, Science Education/Science Communication
  • 2020-2021: Mary Louise Sturman, Science Communication
  • 2019-2020: Sydney Smith, Science Communication
  • 2018-2019: Bradley Austin, Science Communication/Science Education
  • 2018-2019: Elizabeth Blenkarn, Science Communication/Science Education
  • 2018-2019: Marissa Carroll, Science Communication/Science Education
  • 2017-2018: Liam Eaton, Science Education
  • 2017-2018: Patrick Lebrun, Science Education
  • 2017-2018: Suhaila Yemen, Science Education
  • 2017-2018: Sue Zhang, Science Education
  • 2017: Vanessa Gagnon-Chantereau, Science Education
  • 2016-2017: Erin Johnston, Science Education
  • 2016-2017: Jasmine Veitch, Science Education
  • 2016-2017: Sara Solaimani, Public Communication of Science
  • 2016-2017: Christiana Frost, Public Communication of Science
  • 2016-2017: Natasha Young, Science Education
  • 2016-2017: Janan Balachandran, Science Education
  • 2015-2016: Michela Dumas, Science Education
  • 2015-2016: Tiffany Bretzlaff, Science Education
  • 2015-2016: Anne-Marie Cooke, Science Education
  • 2015-2016: Stephanie Rivest, Science Education
  • 2014-2015: Jason Pilipchuk, Public Communication of Science
  • 2014-2015: Taylor-Anne Turner, Public Communication of Science
  • 2013-2014: Regina Palamar, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2012-13: Amelia Buchanan,  Public Communication of Science.
  • 2012-13: Shannon McGaffey, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2012-13: Elliot Dameto, Scientific Communication in the field of Sustainable Business.
  • 2012-13: Justyn Pellizari, Scientific Communication in the field of Sustainable Business.
  • 2011-12: Mikael Barj, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2011-12: Sophie Dorion-Boisvert, Scientific Communication in the field of Sustainable Business.
  • 2011-12: Gurpreet Sahmbi, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2010-2011: André Shymanski, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2009-10: Vanessa Pilon (co-direction), Pollination Ecology of Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium).
  • 2009-10: Marie-Eve Cloutier, Public Communication of Science.
  • 2007-08: Caroline Robert, Pollination Ecology of Strawberry (Fragaria vesca).

2008-12: Mentor in the ‘Backpack to Briefcase’ symposium in the Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa.

Editing and Book Reviews

Manuscript editing for peer-reviewed journals:

  • Journal of Science Education and Technology.
  • International Journal of Science Education.
  • Science Education.

Textbook review:

  • 2014: Principles of Animal Behavior by Lee Alan Dugatkin. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • 2011: Integrative Animal Biology by Fenton, Dumont, Owen and Campbell.  Nelson Education Ltd.
  • 2011: Canadian Edition of Inquiry into Life by Sylvia S. Mader. McGraw-Hill Publications.
  • 2008: Canadian Edition of Biological Science textbook by Scott Freeman. Pearson Education Publishing.

2014-2015: Editor and advisor for the General Science Competition for uEducate and uOttawa Faculty of Science.

2006-2011: Associate Editor for The Canadian Entomologist journal.

2001-2003: Research Editor on Home Gardener’s Problem Solver, 2nd Edition. 2003. Meredith Books, Des Moines, Iowa, 400 p. For Horticom Inc., Ste-Foy, Qc.

Judging

2024: Judge for science communication drawing competition, Sherbrooke University, Qc.

2017: Judge for the student pitches in Connecting Young Minds annual conference, Ottawa, Ontario.

2017: Expert judge on the French-language debate surrounding scientific issues and society on the program Ripostes on Rogers TV.

2009: Judge for the Student Eco-Film Awards at the 94th Annual General Meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

2008: Judge for the Canada-wide High School Science Fair, held at the University of Ottawa.

2008: Judge for the Ottawa-Carleton High School Science Fair, held by the University of Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

See also participation in Arts juries (below)

Working Committee membership

University of Ottawa:

  • 2016-pres: Member of the Fair Trade Campus Committee.
  • 2011-pres: Member of the Sustainable Development Committee.

Faculty of Science, uOttawa:

  • 2009-2011: Committee member for the Chancellor’s Scholarship from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Ottawa.
  • 2009-pres: Member of the Committee on Academic Standing, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa.
  • 2008: Committee member for Academic Entrance Scholarship, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa.

Faculty of Education, uOttawa:

  • Executive Committee on Undergraduate Programs
  • Education Research Units (ERUs) Committee
  • Senior Science Education Program Evaluation Committee

Department of Biology, uOttawa:

  • 2019: Chair (Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour group) for Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa.
  • 2017: Biology Program Self-evaluation Committee
  • 2014- 2015: Member of the TA allocation Committee, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa.
  • 2009-pres: Member of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa.

Biology Graduate Students Association at Laval University

  • 2001-2002: President
  • 2000-2001: Vice-President
  • 1999-2000: Program Admission Committee representative

See also membership in committees for Arts organizations (below)

Stewardship Committee Membership

2024: Organizing Committee member for the Ottawa-Carleton Symposium on Science Education

2018: Co-Chair of the uOttawa-Carleton Symposium on Science Education.

2017: Co-Chair of the uOttawa Cross-Faculty Symposium on Science Education.

2017: Founder of the uOttawa Cross-Faculty Symposium on Science Education.

Peer-reviewed Presentations at Professional Meetings

Education conferences:

  • Brown, A.O., Barriault, C., Smith, S. and E. MacIsaac. 2021. Assessing the landscape for Public Communication of Science curriculum among Canadian undergraduate programs in the natural sciences. Public Communication of Science and Technology annual conference (online).
  • Brown, A.O. 2019. Student Perspectives and Curriculum Offerings on the Public Communication of Science. SEBiology annual conference for the European Society for Experimental Biology, Seville, Spain.
  • Brown, A.O. and A.W. Oliveira. 2017. Science Examples that Stick: Memorable Exemplification in Biology Instruction. European Science Education Research Association annual conference. Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Brown, A.O. and G. Reis. 2017. Meaningful Learning of Scientific Terminology via an Etymological Approach. Cross-Faculty Symposium on Science Education. Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Brown, A.O., T. Bretzlaff and A.W. Oliveira. 2017. Teaching by Example for the Effective and Memorable Learning of Animal Behaviour. Cross-Faculty Symposium on Science Education. Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Brown, A.O. and A. Oliveira. 2016. Exemplification in Science Instruction: Teaching and Learning through Examples. Canadian Society for the Study of Education annual conference. Calgary, Alberta.
  • Brown, A.O. and G. Reis. 2016. An Etymological Approach to the Teaching and Learning of Scientific Terminology: an Exploratory Study on Lexical Access, Knowledge Transfer and Meaningful Learning.  Canadian Society for the Study of Education annual conference. Calgary, Alberta.
  • Oliveira, A. and A.O. Brown. 2016. Exemplification in Science Instruction: Teaching and Learning through Examples. Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) International Conference
. Reno, Nevada, USA.
  • Brown, A.O. and A. Oliveira. 2015. Teaching Animal Behaviour Via Exemplification. Western Conference on Science Education. Western University, London, Ontario.
  • Brown, A.O. 2015. The Public Communication of Science as an Integral Component of the Undergraduate Science Students’ Curriculum.  Science and You conference on science communication.  Nancy, France.
  • T. Andrews, F. Wolff and A.O. Brown. 2015. Terminology work in universities: a case study in collaboration. Terminology & Ontology: Theories and Applications conference. University of Savoie, Chambéry, France.
  • Brown, A.O. 2013. Using an Etymological Approach When Learning Scientific Terminology Improves Lexical Access and Knowledge Transfer in Undergraduate Students.  The 20th Learner International Conference on Higher Education.  Rhodes, Greece.
  • Brown, A.O. 2012. The Creation of a French-Language Glossary to Aid in the Instruction of Specialized Undergraduate Courses in Biology. ACFAS, Montreal, Qc. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. 2011. The Communication of Science as an Integral Component to the Undergraduate Experience. The Western Conference on Science Education at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont.
  • Brown, A.O. 2011. The Creation of a French-Language Glossary to Aid in the Instruction of Specialized Undergraduate Courses in Biology. The Western Conference on Science Education at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont.
  • Brown, A.O. 2011. Science Communication: the indispensable link between academia and society.  Keynote Lecture at the Aldrich national interdisciplinary conference at Memorial University in St. J0hn’s, Newfoundland.
  • Brown, A.O. 2010. The creation of a French-language online Glossary of biological terms to improve the instruction of science in non- English classrooms. Conference for the International Journal of Arts and Science in Aix-en-Provence, France. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. 2010. Development of an on-line French-language glossary for biological terms.  Symposium on Teaching and Technology, University of Ottawa.
  • Brown, A.O. 2009.  The creation of an online French-language glossary of terms related to organismal biology.  Colloque sur la Recherche sur la Réussite Scolaire.  University of Ottawa. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. 2009. Using Facebook as a pedagogical tool. Symposium on Teaching and Technology in Ottawa, Ont.
  • Brown, A.O. 2009. Round-Table panelist in a special session dedicated to the undertaking of the sciences in the French language. ACFAS, Ottawa, Ont.
  • Robert, C. and A.O. Brown. 2009. The pollination ecology of Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and the potential for sustainable agriculture. ACFAS, Ottawa, Ont.  Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. 2007. Insect pollinators and the future of sustainable agriculture. Annual General Meeting for the Quebec Association of Science and Technology Teachers (Association pour l’enseignement de la science et de la technologie au Québec) in Gatineau, Qc. Talk given in French.

Scientific conferences:

  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2004. Pollination ecology of the high latitude, dioecious cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.): generalization or specialization? Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Quebec, Montreal, Qc. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2001. Does insect pollination limit the fruit production of the cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.)?. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Quebec. Beloeil, Qc. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2001. Does insect pollination limit the fruit production of the cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.)?. Joint annual meeting of the Entomological Societies of Canada and Ontario. Niagara Falls, Ont.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2000. The pollination ecology of the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.): an uncertain system in an unpredictable environment. Joint annual meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada and Quebec. Montreal, QC.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2000. The pollination ecology of the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.): an uncertain system in an unpredictable environment. Annual meeting of the Quebec Society of the Study of Behavioural Biology, (SQÉBC). Rimouski, QC. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 1999. The relative effectiveness and efficiencies of the insect pollinators of the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.). Annual meeting of the Quebec Society of the Study of Behavioural Biology (SQÉBC). Quebec City, QC. Talk given in French.
  • Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 1999. The relative effectiveness and efficiencies of the insect pollinators of the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.). Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Quebec. Hull, Qc. Talk given in French.

Invited Speaker Seminars

2023: Communicating Science to the Public.  Brown Bag Seminar series for graduate students in the Environmental Sustainability program at the Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa.

2022: The science of art and the art of science.  Symposium on Science Communication, hosted by the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists.

2021: The science of art and the art of science. uOttawa STEAMfest.

2021: Pereira, D., Reis, G. and A.O. Brown. Frequency words for zoology learning through an etymological approach: an exploratory study for selected Romance and Germanic languages. Seminar offered in the graduate course for the teacher training program in the Faculty of Education, uOttawa (PED4194: Teaching Science – Biology at the Senior Division).

2019: Brown, A.O. L’évolution de la biodiversité et la conservation des espèces face au changement climatique.  Journée d’apprentissage écologique ‘Uni-Vert’ pour écoles secondaires, Ottawa.

2019: Brown, A.O. Science Communication and the Public. Science Literacy Week event, University of Ottawa.

2019: Integrating the public communication of science into undergraduate science curriculum.  True North Science Bootcamp, University of Ottawa.

2019: Brown, A.O. The science and social controversy surrounding GMOs.  Collège Catholique Samuel-Genest, Ottawa, Ontario.

2018: Brown, A.O. Alternative Medicine and Science vs. Pseudoscience.  Collège catholique Samuel-Genest, Ottawa, Ontario through the Experts Virtuels program.  Talk given in French.

2018: Brown, A.O. Human Evolution and Modern Ethnic Diversity.  École secondaire publique Omer-Deslauriers, Ottawa, Ontario through the Experts Virtuels program.  Talk given in French.

2017: Guest lecturer in CHEM 183 course ‘Drugs’ on the topic of ‘Your brain on drugs’ at McGill University, Montreal.

2017: Brown, A.O. Alternative Medicine and Science vs. Pseudoscience.  Pierre-Savard Catholic High School, Ottawa, Ontario through the Experts Virtuels program.  Talk given in French.

2017: Brown, A.O. The Art of Science and the Science of Art. Last Lecture conference, Science Student’s Association, University of Ottawa.

2017: Brown, A.O. Using scaffolds to inspire a meaningful learning of science.  Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa.

2016: Brown, A.O. Effective teaching and learning of scientific terminology using scaffolds. Guest lecturer in a Teacher-Training course on Approaches to the Teaching of Science at the Intermediate Level (PED3132), Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa.

2016: Brown, A.O. Skill development in the public communication of science for undergraduates. Connecting Young Minds undergraduate conference.  University of Ottawa.

2016: Brown, A.O. A holistic teaching of the sciences: helping students of Science transition from High School to University.  Invited speaker at the 2016 Science Professional Development Day for High School teachers of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board/Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OCDSB/OSSTF), Ottawa.

2015: Brown, A.O. Using scaffolds for the effective teaching and learning of science.  Guest lecturer in a Teacher-Training course on General Science at the Intermediate Level (PED3131), Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa.

2015:  Brown, A.O. Ayahuasca – psychedelic brain chemistry.  Invited speaker in the ‘Chemistry and the Public’ session of the annual meeting for the Canadian Society of Chemistry, Ottawa, Ont.

2015: Brown, A.O. Skill development in the public communication of science. Guest lecturer in a graduate course on Community Outreach and Media Relations in the Sciences (ESG5310 offered by the Faculty of Science), University of Ottawa.

2015: Brown, A.O. Communication: the indispensable link between scientists and society.  Last Lecture conference, Science Student’s Association, University of Ottawa.

2014: Brown, A.O. Sustainability in International Development and Globalization.  Guest lecturer in a course on Globalization and Alter-globalization (DVM4730B offered by the School of International Development and Global Studies), University of Ottawa.

2014: Brown, A.O. Sex and the Human Animal.  Science, Technology and Society speakers series, Science Student’s Association, University of Ottawa.

2013: Brown, A.O. Ayahuasca: Visions of Jungle Medicine.  TEDx Ottawa.  You may view the talk here.

2013: Brown, A.O. Making the links: helping students of Science transition from High School to University.  Invited speaker at the 2013 Science Professional Development Day for High School teachers of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board/Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OCDSB/OSSTF), Ottawa.

2013: Brown, A.O. Communication: the indispensable link between scientists and society.  Science Exploration lecture series for Alumni Week, University of Ottawa.

2013: Buchanan, A. and A.O. Brown.  Science Communication and Society: a Triclosan Case Study.  Health Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa.

2013: Brown, A.O. Communication: an integral link between academia and society.  Science, Technology and Society speakers series, Science Student’s Association, University of Ottawa.

2012: Brown, A.O. Communicating Science to the General Public.  Seminar series for the Young Environmental Professionals of Ottawa.

2012: Sahmbi, G. and A.O. Brown.  Science Communication and the Public. Cedarview Middle School, Ottawa, Ont.

2012: Speaker in the role of  an ‘Active Listener’ at the 3i Sustainability Summit, Ottawa, Ont.

2011: Shymanski, A. and A.O. Brown.  Science Communication and the Public.  École Gisèle-Lalonde, Ottawa, Ont.

2011: Brown, A.O. The Creation of Online Learning Resources to Aid in the Instruction of Biology in French.  Seminar speaker as part of a series on innovative practices in University teaching.  The Centre for University Teaching, University of Ottawa.

2010:  Brown, A.O. The Role of Science Communication and the Future of Environmental Sustainability. Invited Speaker in the University of Ottawa Green Campus Policy Lecture series.

2010: Cloutier, M.E. and A.O. Brown. La vulgarisation scientifique et la société.  CÉGEP de l’Outaouais, Gatineau, Qc.

2008: Seminar Speaker in the Faculty of Science as part of the “New Professors” seminar series in the Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa.

2006: Seminar Speaker at the Climate Change conference for the Environmental Network of Quebec in Sept-Iles, Qc.

2004: Guest Lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences at the University College Northampton, England, UK.

2004: Guest Lecturer at the Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire, USA.

2003: Guest Lecturer in “An Introduction to Invertebrate Biology” in the Dept. of Biology at Laval University in Quebec City, Qc.

2003: Invited Speaker on The ecology of chemical pesticide use: the consumer vs. the environment. Annual meeting of the Quebec Pest Management Association in Trois-Rivières, Qc. Talk given in French.

2002: Guest Lecturer in “An Introduction to Entomology” in the Dept. of Biology at Laval University in Quebec City, Qc.

2001: Seminar Speaker at the annual meeting of the Quebec Association of Cranberry Farmers in Victoriaville, Qc.

2001: Guest Speaker to talk science to public school children from impoverished neighborhoods at Laval University in Quebec City, Qc.

2000: Guest Lecturer in “An Introduction to Entomology” in the Dept. of Biology at Laval University in Quebec City, Qc.

2000: Guest Lecturer at the Cultural Centre of Minganie in Havre St. Pierre, North Shore of Quebec.

1999: Guest Speaker at the town council meeting of Ste-Foy municipal council meeting on the conservation of wild lands in Ste-Foy, Qc.

1998: Guest Lecturer in “An Introduction to Entomology” in the Dept. of Biology at Laval University in Quebec City, Qc.

1996: Guest Lecturer in an Environmental and Physical Geography class at West Elgin High School in Elgin, Ont.

Presiding, workshops, panels and debates

2023: Moderator for International Symposium Series on “Education in/ for the Risk Society: Dealing with uncertainties in times of climate change”, online seminar hosted by the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa and Sao Paolo University, Brazil.

2021: Workshop given to scientists at the government of Canada on Science Communication and bringing science to the public.

2021: Guest speaker on the Science Communication vs. Scientific Communication: promoting bilingualism while advancing our science.  National Research Council of Canada, during Les Rendezvous de la Francophonie celebration.

2019: Workshop on the principles and practices of the public communication of science. Graduate course on Advanced Plant Biology (BIOL6300/8320).  Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario.

2018: Guest evaluator of student TED talk in graduate course on Community Outreach and Media Relations in the Sciences (ESG5310 offered by the Faculty of Medicine), University of Ottawa.

2018: Invited speaker to talk to high school science students about careers in science and post-secondary studies.  Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School, Ottawa, Ont.

2018: Workshop on strategies for the effective public communication of science to students in Graduate course BIO8320 – Advanced Plant Biology, University of Ottawa.

2017: Panelist in a round table discussion on positivity and wellness on health for the annual Trottier Public Science Symposium at McGill University, Montreal.

2016: Brown, A.O. The principles and practices of communicating science to the public.  Online webinar for Evidence for Democracy.

2016: Panelist in a round table discussion on facts and fiction in public science for the annual Trottier Public Science Symposium at McGill University, Montreal.

2015: Brown, A.O. The Public Communication of Science as an Integral Component to the Undergraduate Science Curriculum.  Workshop offered at the Western Conference on Science Education.  Western University, London, Ontario.

2014: Workshop participant in the International Symposium on Environmental and Science Education, University of Ottawa.

2014: Workshop participant in the International Forum of Open and Online Education, University of Ottawa.

2012: Panelist at ‘In Defense of Science’ a discussion hosted by the Alternatives Journal at the University of Ottawa.  You may read a write-up and watch a video of this panel discussion here.

2012: Presenter for the University Science Preparatory Workshop for entering 1st year Science students at uOttawa.

2012: Workshop participant in ‘Communicating Science to Society’, a special session held during Evolution Ottawa: 1st Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology, Ottawa.

2012: Session President for the oral communications on Science and Teaching.  ACFAS, Montreal, Qc.

2011:  Workshop panelist in a special session on Public Speaking at the Aldrich national interdisciplinary conference at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

2010: Session Facilitator for a round table forum on Greening festivals at the annual general meeting of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals.

2010. Brown, A.O. An Etymological Approach to Teaching Biology.  Workshop offered at Unconference for Ontario Consortium of Biology Educators (oCUBE), London, Ont.

2010: Session President for seminar on Business and Economics at the Conference for the International Journal of Arts and Science in Aix-en-Provence, France.

2009: Round-Table panelist to discuss the “Obstacles and Challenges to the Instruction of Science in French” during a special session of ACFAS (Association francophone pour le savoir) at the University of Ottawa.

2009: Session President for the Natural Resources section of the 77th Annual General Meeting for ACFAS (Association francophone pour le savoir) in Ottawa, Ont.

2008: Panelist for Café Scientifique sponsored by the Canadian Museum of Nature on the topic of “Global Human Population and the Development”. Ottawa, Ont.

Courses Taught

University of Ottawa:

SCI3101 The Public Communication of Science (created 2014)

SCI3501 La Communication Scientifique au Grand Public (created 2014)*

BIO1300 The Human Animal

BIO1109 Principles of Biology

BIO1530 Organismal Biology *

BIO2135 Animal: Form and Function

BIO2535 Animal: Form and Function*

BIO3176 Animal Behaviour

BIO3333/3733 Entomology +

BIO3517 Ecosystem Ecology *

BIO4101 Pesticides and the Environment

BIO4134 Plant-Animal Interactions (created 2009)

BIO4501 Pesticides and the Environment*

BIO4900 Seminar Series (Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour)+

BIO4004 Honour’s Thesis+

BIO4009 Honour’s Thesis+

Laval University:

BIO-21422 Introduction to Entomology *

Ontario University Program for Field Biology

Queens University Biological Station (QUBS) – Field course on insect sampling techniques

* Taught in French / Enseignement en français
+ Taught in both English and in French

Publications

Peer-review research manuscripts

Paul Chiu, Alandeom W. Oliveira, Giuliano Reis & Adam O. Brown (2024) Feeling the heat: undergraduate science students’ emotional management during classroom debates, International Journal of Science Education, Part B,DOI: 10.1080/21548455.2024.2316121 (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A.W., Brown, A.O., Carroll, M.L., Blenkarn, W., Austin, B. & Bretzlaff, T. 2023. Biology Students’ Views of Science Communication: A Reflective Approach to Oral Communication in Undergraduate Education. Journal of College Science Teaching. 52: 60-67. (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A. W., Mirel, O. & A. O.  Brown (2023) ‘I invite you to take a sip from the golden fountain and confirm these statements for yourself’: preparing undergraduate science students to publicly address pseudoscientific news. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement,14:1, 47-71. (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A. W., & Brown, A. O. (2023). Pitching STEM: a communicative approach to entrepreneurship in STEM classrooms. In Enhancing Entrepreneurial Mindsets Through STEM Education (pp. 325-348). Cham: Springer International Publishing. (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A. W., Brown, A. O., Day, K., Saviolli, R., Campbell, S. J., Potkins, H., & Weld, J. M. (2022). Authorised cheat sheets in undergraduate biology: Using pictographic organisers to foster student creative cognition. Review of Education, 10, e3380. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3380 (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A.W., Brown, A.O. 2022. Experiencing the entrepreneurial side of science: undergraduate students pitching science-based businesses. Entrepreneurship Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41959-022-00087-7 (download .pdf)

Oliveira, A.W., Brown, A.O., Carroll, M.L., Blenkarn, W., Austin, B. & Bretzlaff, T. 2021: Developing undergraduate student oral science communication through video reflection. International Journal of Science Education, Part B. (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A.W., Bretzlaff, T., & A.O. Brown. 2020. Memorable Exemplification in Undergraduate Biology. Research in Science Education. 50: 625-643 (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A.W., Johnston, E. & Brown, A.O. 2018. Exemplification in Undergraduate Biology: Dominant Images and Their Impact on Student Acquisition of Conceptual Knowledge. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. 18:1-17 (download.pdf)

Brown, A.O. 2017. The Role of Values in the Effectiveness of Public Communications of Science for Sustainability.  Education Review, 5: 14-17. (download.pdf)

Oliveira, A.W. and A.O. Brown.  2016. Exemplification in Science Instruction: Teaching and Learning through Examples.  Journal for Research in Science Teaching. 53: 737-767. (download.pdf).  This manuscript was nominated and short-listed as Research Worth 

Reading for 2016 by the National Science Teachers’ Association (USA).

Brown. A.O. 2014. Lexical access, knowledge transfer and meaningful learning of scientific terminology via an etymological approach. International Journal of Biology Education. 3: 1-12. (download .pdf)

Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2009. Pollination ecology of the high latitude, dioecious cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus: Rosaceae). American Journal of Botany. 96: 1096-1107. (download .pdf).

Brown, A.O. and J.N. McNeil. 2006. Fruit production in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.): a bet-hedging strategy to optimize reproductive effort. American Journal of Botany. 93: 910-916. (download .pdf).

Pelletier, L., A. Brown, B. Otrysko and J.N. McNeil. 2001. Entomophily of the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.). Entomologia experimentalis et applicata. 101: 219-224. (download .pdf).

Books and Book Chapters

Reis, G. Jeelani, M. and A.O. Brown. 2023. “Where is God during a Natural Disaster?” Potential Implications of Public Discourses of Religion for Science Curricula. In: Favio, X. (ed.), Science Curriculum for the Anthropocene, Volume 2: Curriculum Models for our Collective Future. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan Press.

Oliveira, A. W., & Brown, A. O. (2023). Pitching STEM: a communicative approach to entrepreneurship in STEM classrooms. In Enhancing Entrepreneurial Mindsets Through STEM Education (pp. 325-348). Cham: Springer International Publishing. (download.pdf)

Reis, G., Brown, A.O., Pedreira, A.J., Delano, S. and B. Jayme. (2019). Evolution as Creationism in Sheep’s Clothing: Challenging Ideals of ‘Normalcy’ and ‘Naturalness’ (pp. 209-236) in Nature and Society. In: Oliveira, A.W. & Cook, K. (Eds.), Evolution Education and the Rise of the Creationist Movement in Brazil. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. Available on Amazon

Brown, A.O. 2016.  The Human Animal.  Custom textbook compiled for Pearson Canada publications. 631p.

Brown, A.O. 2011. The Biology Undergraduate Student’s Guide to Success. Nelson Publishing Ltd. 56p.

Brown, A.O. 2011. Guide vers le succès pour les étudiant.e.s au 1er cycle en biologie. Nelson Publishing Ltd. 56p.

2010: Cranberry research featured in a biology textbook: Russel et al.  2010.  Biology: Exploring the Diversity of Life.  1st Canadian Edition. Nelson Education Ltd. Toronto. pp. 410.

Learning Resource Technologies

Brown, A.O. 2011. Glossaire de termes biologiques. Online version found here.  Smartphone App available at the iTunes app store. Also available for Android platforms on the Google Play store.

Community Involvement

Volunteer

Insect display preparation for the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Media

TV, Video and Web Productions

2021: Interview on City News about the need for effective scientific communication during a pandemic.  You may watch the clip here.

2021: Interview on CBC Television on the role of science communication during a pandemic.  You may watch the segment here.

2020-2021: Co-Producer, writer and narrator for Evolution 101 (in English and French).  National Film Board of Canada, an Ocean School production.

2017: Interview on the topic of urban wildlife for CBC Television, Ottawa.

2017: Guest expert judge on the French-language debate program Ripostes on Rogers TV.

2017: Interview on the topic of urban wildlife for CBC TV, Ottawa.

2015: Producer and host of educational video on the timescale of evolution of biodiversity on earth.  You may view the video ‘Tracking Life’ here. This video has been hosted on the website of Richard Dawkins Foundation’s  Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science here.

2015: Producer/director for a series of video blogs on the sustainability initiatives at the University of Ottawa.  You may view the episodes on our Green Scene Youtube channel here.

2015: Guest expert on Love Nature Channel series on Animal Behaviour called Attack and Defend.  The first scene on the Red-Eyed Tree Frog can be viewed here.

2015: Guest expert on Love Nature Channel series on Animal Behaviour called Mysteries of Evolution.  The first scene on helping behaviour in bees can be viewed here.

2013: Guest panelist on TVO talk show The Agenda with Steve Paikin on the topic of “Silencing Science in Canada”. You may watch the episode here.

2013: Guest expert on the TV series The Prime Radicals a science program for children, a GAPC Entertainment Inc. production for TVOkids.

  • This series is a multiple award-winner [including: 2013 The Accolade Awards – Award of Excellence, 2013 The Accolade Awards – Award of Merit, 2012 The Prestige Film Award Children/Family Program (Gold), 2012 The Houston International Film Festival Remi Award Family/Children (Gold), 2012 Hermes Creative Awards Audio Original Music (Gold), 2011 International Pixie Awards Visual Effects (Gold)].

2012: Scientific advisor and guest-host for for the TV series Finding Stuff Out (season 2), a science program for children.  An Apartment 11 production. You may view my scenes from this episode on ‘Plants’ here.

  • – this episode, towards which I contributed significantly to the structure and content of the script, was recently shortlisted as a finalist for a Screenwriters Award from the Writers Guild of Canada in the Children & Youth category.

2012: Invited guest on French-language daytime television program Entre Nous, to speak on communicating a passion for Biology to the general public.  Rogers TV, Ottawa.

2011: Scientific advisor and guest-host for Finding Stuff Out, a science program for children, air-date was on April 13th, 2012.  An Apartment 11 production.

  • Series nominated for a Rockie Award from the Banff World Media Festival (2012 Best Children Programs – Non-fiction).
  • Web content for show was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (2013 Best Cross-Platform Project – Children and Youth).
  • You may watch my episode on ‘Oceans’ on the TVOkids website here or preview my segment here.

2010: Scientific advisor for the “Jungle Prescription” episode of The Nature of Things on Ayahuasca for CBC television. A Nomad Films production.

  • Nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award from the Yorkton Film Festival (Best Documentary Science/Medicine/Technology 2012).

2010: Host and narrator (cut) for the “Jungle Prescription” episode of The Nature of Things on Ayahuasca for CBC television. A Nomad Films production.

2010: Producer, director and narrator for a documentary on the Greening Initiatives of the Ottawa Folk Festival.  You can view the video here.

2010: Rogers TV interview for the Ottawa Folk Festival on Bloc Notes, Ottawa (en français).

2008: Host for a proposed prime-time program (cut) on the natural sciences entitled ‘The Wild Bunch’, produced by the CBC.

2008: Consultant for the scientific television series The Nature of Things on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Radio

2021: Interview on the role of science communication during a pandemic on Radio-Canada.  You may listen to the segment here.

2020: Long-form interview on French-language science program La Nature Selon Boucar on the topic of lice, on Radio-Canada.  You may listen to the segment here.

2019: Interview with Radio-Canada (en Français) about bed bug infestations in government buildings in Ottawa.

2019: Interview about my career bringing the arts and sciences together as a professor of science education and science communication (‘Ça parle au nord’ en français), Radio-Canada Sudbury & Toronto.  You may listen to the interview online here.

2018-2019: Regular science chronicle in French on Unique FM 94.5 in Ottawa.

2018: Interview on Ottawa Morning, CBC Radio 1 about my insect art exhibit at the Manx Pub, Ottawa.

2018: Interview about the effects of cold winters and climate change on insect populations for 101.5 myFM radio in Orangeville, Ontario.

2017: Interview on the topic of Peregrine Falcons in our cities for Radio-Canada Sudbury program “Ça parle au nord”.  Given in French.

2017: Interview on the science culture podcast program “The Body of Evidence” speaking about science communication and the links between science and art.  You may listen to the podcast here.

2017: Interview on the topic of wildlife conservation and human encroachment for Radio-Canada Windsor.  Given in French.

2017: Interview on the topic of urban wildlife for CBC Radio 1, Ottawa.

2016: Interview on Radio-Canada Ottawa-Gatineau about Citizen Science and science in the public.  Given in French.

2015: Interview on Radio-Canada show Les Samedis du Monde on the ecological role played by blackflies.  You may listen to Pourquoi endurer les mouches noires episode here. Given in French.

2013: Interview on the Dr. Joe Schwarcz Show: The Right Chemistry for CJAD Montreal on the role of Science Communication and the general public.

2012: Interview with CBC-Radio Canada (Montreal) on the role of Science in governmental policy-making. Given in French.

2011: Maple Morris was featured in a Dance Season program on Morris Dancing entitled “It’s got bells on” for BBC Radio 2, UK.

2011: Interview on CKCU radio (Ottawa) for artsScene Ottawa.

2010: Interview on CBC Radio 1 (Ottawa) for artsScene Ottawa.

2010: Interview on CKCU radio (Ottawa) for artsScene Ottawa.

2007: Guest Speaker on CHUO radio (Ottawa) on the debate surrounding the teaching of creationism in science classrooms (en français).

2006: Guest Speaker on CHUO radio (Ottawa) on the effects of pesticides on the environment (en français).

2004: Guest Speaker on CKNA radio on the fruiting ecology of cloudberry in Natashquan, North Shore of Quebec (en français).

2002: Resident Scientist on the science chronicle entitled Life, the Universe and Everything on the afternoon program Retour d’ascenseur, hosted by Matthieu Dugal on CKRL radio in Quebec City, QC (en français).

2001: Guest Speaker on fruit production in cranberry, on the CBC radio program “Break Away” in Quebec City, QC

2000: Guest Speaker on CILE radio on the ecology of cloudberry in Havre St. Pierre, North Shore of Quebec (en français).

2000: Guest Speaker on Radio-Canada radio on the ecology of cloudberry in Havre St. Pierre, North Shore of QC (en français).

Newspapers, Blogs and Magazines

2021: Interview about the science and music for the magazine BioMatters of the uOttawa Biology Graduate Student Association.  You may listen to the clip here.

2018: Interview with Canadian Press on the topic of urban wildlife in Ottawa.  The story appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, The National Post, The Times Colonist, The Brantford Expositor, CP24, Journal Metro (en Français), La Presse (en Français), The Sudbury Star, CTV News, 98.5fm Montreal (en Français), The Toronto Star, Le Soleil (en Français), Canada Live News and many others.

2018: Interview on the topic of urban wildlife for Cottage Life Magazine.  You may read the story here.

2018: Interview about the effects of cold winters and climate change on insect populations for University Magazine, Ontario.

2018: Interview with Global News online about the effects of cold winters and climate change on insect populations.  You may read the article here.

2016: Various blog articles on Science and Society.  McGill Office for Science and Society.  You may read the articles here.

2015: Interview with the Globe and Mail on the topic of the ecological role of blackflies.  You may read the article here.

2014: Interviewed for Ottawa Sun newspaper on the topic of the effects of changing weather patterns on wildlife.  You can read the article here.

2018: Interview on the topic of urban wildlife for Cottage Life Magazine.  You may read the story here.

2018: Interview about the effects of cold winters and climate change on insect populations for University Magazine, Ontario.

2018: Interview with Global News online about the effects of cold winters and climate change on insect populations.  You may read the article here.

2016: Various blog articles on Science and Society.  McGill Office for Science and Society.  You may read the articles here.

2015: Interview with the Globe and Mail on the topic of the ecological role of blackflies.  You may read the article here.

2014: Interviewed for Ottawa Sun newspaper on the topic of the effects of changing weather patterns on wildlife.  You can read the article here.

2013: Research on science communication in green marketing featured in Ecoholic column of Now Magazine, Toronto (5-11 September).  You can read the column here.

2013: Communicating knowledge to the general public: an important skill for university graduates.  University of Ottawa Gazette.  You can view the article here.

2013: Interview with The McGill Daily on the role of science in society and on governmental decision-making. You can read the whole article here.

2013: Interview with Époque Times Montreal on the topic of Integrated Pest Management and the use of biopesticides against the spread of West Nile Virus (in French).

2013: Article published on the online arts and culture magazine apt613.ca, a review of STEM to STEAM event Nature Nocturne at the Museum of Nature.  Your can read the whole article here.

2011: Morris dancing and music stage show “Must Come Down”, performed in London, UK in July was featured in fRoots magazine, England, UK.

2011: Featured article in the Glebe Report monthly newspaper for artsScene Ottawa.  You can read the whole article here.

2010: Featured article in the VOIR weekly magazine for artsScene Ottawa.  You can read the whole article here.

2009: Featured article in a special edition of the Unfolding arts magazine showcasing individuals who bridge the gap between science and art: Unfolding, October 2009, issue 2, vol. 7.  You can read the whole article here.

Music, Dance and other Arts

2018: Performer (vocalist) on the solo album Quiet River of Dust Vol. 1 by multi-instrumentalist and multi-award winning (Grammy, Polaris, Juno) artist Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre).

2018: Science/Art exhibit on display at the Manx Pub in Ottawa of ‘Entomophilia: for a love of insects’.

2010-14: Judge for the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

2011-2014: Co-Chair of the Communications committee for Folk Music Ontario (formerly, the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals).

2011-2014: Director of Folk Music Ontario (formerly, the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals).

2011-2013: Director of artsScene Ottawa (Arts Community Outreach Director), a non-profit organization bridging the business and arts communities.

2011: Co-producer of Must Come Down, a Morris-based music and dance show at the Cecil Sharp House in London, UK.

2010: Member of the Steering Committee and Director of artsScene Ottawa, a non-profit organization bridging the business and arts communities.

2010: Director of the Ottawa Folk Festival.

2010: Member of Governance Task Force Committee for the Ottawa Folk Festival.

2010: Member of the Sustainability Committee for the Ottawa Folk Festival.

2005-present: Member of organizing committee for annual Morris Dancing festival for young North American dancers held over an August weekend in various areas of Ontario and Quebec.

2005-present: Co-founder and member of Maple Morris, an award-winning international consortium of youth Morris dancers (www.maplemorris.com).

2002-present: Dance teacher for the Country Dance and Song Society of America in West Virginia and Massachusetts (www.cdss.org).

1992-present: Musician in various musical outfits, either solo or in bands.

  • Organized and performed at a Concert Gala to benefit the environment in conjunction with Greenpeace Canada, entitled “Lollabeluga”
    (Call the Office, London, ON in 1993)
  • Blues band entitled “Stinkfoot” on the French Riviera, France
    (Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Antibes: 1995-1996)
  • Solo Jazz shows at Grapes to Wine bar in London, ON
    (1992-1995, 1996-1998)
  • Jazz groove band in Quebec City, Le Mandelbrot Set
    (several concerts: 2001-2004)
  • Solo rock performer at Orange Bleu restaurant in Baie Comeau, QC
    (2005-2006)
  • Solo musician and with guests in various local establishments in Ottawa, ON
    (The Manx, The Urban Well: 2006-present)

Photography

2008-2009: Official photographer for the CDSS at Pinewoods Music and Dance Camp, Massachusetts USA.  Samples of my shots can be seen in official CDSS publications.

2003: Official photographer of the Montreal and Quebec City album release for “Nos coats sont plus épais que le ciel” by Mort de Rire.  The shots were used in official publicity media and on their website (now defunct). Most of this band is now known as the Polaris-prize winning Montreal band Karkwa.

Master of Ceremonies and Stage Hosting

2012: Official Showcases MC at the annual conference of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (now Folk Music Ontario), Mississauga, Ont.

2011: Official Showcases MC at the annual conference of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (now Folk Music Ontario), Niagara Falls, Ont.

2011: Co-Host for the 40th anniversary concert for the Friends of Fiddlers Green, Toronto, Ont.

2011: Host for the National Arts Centre reception for the Canada Dance Festival and artsScene Ottawa.

2010: Co-host for the artsScene Ottawa sponsored event, Boardlink.

2010: Official Showcases MC at the annual conference of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (now Folk Music Ontario), Ottawa, Ont.

2010: MC for the Ottawa Folk Festival, Ont.

2009: Auctioneer for the Country Dance and Song Society, Pinewoods Music and Dance Camp, Massachusetts USA.

2008: Auctioneer for the Country Dance and Song Society, Pinewoods Music and Dance Camp, Massachusetts USA.

2003: Auctioneer for the Country Dance and Song Society, Buffalo Gap Music and Dance Camp, West Virginia USA.

Athletics

1997-98 : Captain of the Men’s Epee Fencing team (University of Western Ontario).

1997 – Queen’s University invitational fencing tournament : Silver medal Epee.

1997 – Ontario University Athletics Association Fencing Finals : Gold medal Team Epee (UWO).

1997 – Ontario University Athletics Association Fencing Finals : Bronze medal Epee (UWO).

1996-97 – Ontario University Athletics Association Fencing Champions (UWO).

1995-96 – Purple W Award for achievements in Fencing  (University of Western Ontario).

1990 – York University invitational fencing tournament : Gold medal Epee.

1990 – Quebec Provincial Junior Fencing Finals : Silver medal Epee.

1989 – Ontario Winter Games : Fencing Gold medal Junior Epee.

1989 – Ontario Winter Games : Fencing Bronze medal Junior Sabre.

1989 – City honours for achievements in Fencing (City of London, Ontario).

1989 – AVSS regional fencing tournament : Gold medal Epee.