M-c Shanahan

So. Here I am. Once again trying to find a creative way to explain why I haven’t blogged for a while. It’s the usual business of course, plus some other stuff. But this time at least, there is an exciting development that has been taking up a fair amount of my free time this spring. I am very pleased to say that, as of July 1, I will be moving to take up a new position as Research Chair in Science Education and Public Engagement at the University of Calgary. The position is being created as part of a larger science, math and technology education initiative taking place there. And I’m even more pleased to say that in addition to continuing and growing my research in language, identity and participation in science, the faculty has been very encouraging of my public outreach and communication work, both here at Boundary Vision and as part of the Skeptically Speaking team.

Over the next little while, I’ll be packing up and moving to Calgary (closer to the mountains, hooray!) and also sadly saying goodbye to my terrific colleagues at the University of Alberta. Here at Boundary Vision, I hope the move will just mean renewed enthusiasm and inspiration from new colleagues to continue to share and discuss research and policy in science education and communication. Wish me luck!

If you’re interested in hearing a bit more, here’s the formal announcement sent out recently by my new dean*:

Dear Colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Marie-Claire Shanahan as our Faculty’s first Research Chair in Science Education and Public Engagement, effective July 1, 2013.

Dr. Shanahan holds a PhD and MA in Science Education from OISE/University of Toronto, a BEd in Physics and Mathematics Education and a BScE in Mechanical Engineering, both from Queen’s University. Currently she is Associate Professor of Science Education and Science Communication in the Department of Secondary Education at the University of Alberta.

Dr. Shanahan’s research focuses on language and identity in the experiences of science learners and audiences of all ages, including classroom interactions, online comment spaces and creative outreach and career development programs—projects for which she has received funding from SSHRC and NSERC.

Dr. Shanahan was named an Early Career Scholar by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching International Committee, was a finalist for the American Association for the Advancement of Science Early Career Award for Public Engagement, and is the former President of the Canadian Science Education Research Group. She also is a writer and blogger who shares her own and her colleagues’ research beyond the pages of academic journals to engage with teachers, scientists, parents and journalists and is a regular guest host for a science radio program and podcast.

As Research Chair in Science Education and Public Engagement, Dr. Shanahan will play an important leadership role in our Imperial Oil STEM Initiative, and also contribute to our academic programs in Science Education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dennis Sumara
Professor and Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary

*Text of the email was edited to remove identifying details related to other faculty members.