Dr. David Schindler was the keynote speaker at Carleton University’s community engagement event on April 12. Schindler is a professor with the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta and discussed protecting the Athabasca River from oil sands development and the troubling lack of value ascribed to natural sciences by the Canadian government.

“Carleton is committed to work with its community in a very positive and real-world manner,” said Peter Ricketts, provost and vice-president, academic. “I have been impressed with the level and richness of community partnering here at Carleton. We have developed these local connections while also keeping a global perspective when it comes to academics and student engagement.”

Carleton hosted a half-day Carleton Community Celebration to showcase its engagement with the wider community and to encourage future collaborations. This year’s theme was: Sustaining our environments through campus and community engagement.

“Carleton is committed to work with its community in a very positive and real-world manner,” said Peter Ricketts, vice-president, academic. “I have been impressed with the level and richness of community engagement here. We have developed these local connections while also keeping a global perspective when it comes to academics.”

Following the keynote, there was a debate using an audience response system. In the third hour, there was a series of pecha kucha presentations about projects that illustrate community partnerships.

All of this was accompanied by an exhibition showcasing Carleton’s research and learning in the community. Community partners also highlighted their work with the university.

Schindler’s presentation will be posted on the carleton.ca homepage early next week.

About David Schindler
Schindler is Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton.  From 1968 to 1989, he founded and directed the Experimental Lakes Project of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans near Kenora, Ontario, conducting interdisciplinary research on the effects of eutrophication, acid rain, radioactive elements and climate change on boreal ecosystems.  His work has been widely used in formulating ecologically sound management policy in Canada and beyond.

His current research includes the study of fisheries management in mountain lakes, the biomagnification of organochlorines in food chains, the effects of climate change and UV radiation on lakes and global carbon and nitrogen budgets.

Schindler teaches limnology, environmental decision-making and the philosophy, sociology and politics of science and public policy in Canada.

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