Susan Barker

BSc Biology (Hons), MSc Ecology, PhD Ecology,PGCE (DistinctIon). I started my academic career at the University of Warwick in UK working across Education and Science disciplines, with a focus on human impact on ecosystems, environmental education and science communication. Through research projects and capacity building initiatives I was engaged in many international projects e.g. Bulgaria, Gambia, Estonia, Chile, Romania that explored the interface between ecology and education. I immigrated to Canada in 2004 to take up a position at the University of Alberta where I held positions of Department Chair of Secondary Education and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education. I was the academic lead in Sustainability initiatives and continued international science education research projects in China, Chile and Norway. I took up the Vice-Provost Student Experience position in 2012 at the University of Calgary and I am able to utilize my commitment to engagement of young people in sustainability initiatives as well as providing strategic leadership in a large student service portfolio that follows the timeline of a student attending university -from recruitment to convocation and all the services that students need along the way. My focus is on improving the student experience for every single student and a belief that every perspective matters.