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Research Chair in Macroecology and Conservation, Professor of Biology, Chair of Department of Biology, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Jeremy Kerr is Professor of Biology and holds the University Research Chair in Macroecology and Conservation at University of Ottawa. His pure and applied research program focuses on understanding how environmental changes affect species and ecosystems and on how to improve prospects for conservation. His discoveries have led to various awards for research excellence. He focuses particularly on butterflies and bumblebees. Kerr’s work has been featured in media around the world, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, CBS, and many others, and in Parliamentary briefings and presentations in the UK and Canada. Kerr won the University of Ottawa 2016 Award for Excellence in Media Relations. He was elected President of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution. Kerr is extremely active at the science-policy interface, proposing and developing national science and conservation policy and legislation in Canada, such as the new Chief Scientific Advisor position and approaches for rapidly expanding Canada’s network of protected areas. He has authored or coauthored pieces for the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Hill Times, and Policy Options. Kerr is a co-lead author on “Restoring Canada’s Competitiveness in Fundamental Research: The View from the Bench” in 2017, which was profiled in Science, Nature, and nationally in Canada. Kerr is an inaugural Fellow of the Science Leadership Program and was elected to the Global Young Academy. He is an active member of uOttawa’s Institute for Science, Society, and Policy.

Experience

  • –present
    University Research Chair in Macroecology and Conservation, University of Ottawa
  • 2002–present
    Professor, University of Ottawa

Education

  • 2000 
    University of Oxford, PDF
  • 1999 
    York University, PhD

Honours

Governor General's Gold Medal, Young Researcher of the Year (University of Ottawa)