"Get Science Right" regional town hall arrives in Edmonton today

OTTAWA, Oct. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Leading Alberta scientists will discuss with the public their concerns about what is happening to science in Canada at a town hall meeting tonight at Edmonton's Art Gallery of Alberta at 7pm.

Moderated by the Edmonton Journal's Graham Thomson, panellists will describe how scientific work in Canada is being affected by federal and provincial government policies and what this means for Canadians. Members of the audience will be invited to join the discussion with questions and comments.

The four distinguished panellists are David Schindler, Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta and founder of the Experimental Lakes Project;  Hanne Ostergaard, Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Alberta; Nils Petersen, Professor of Chemistry and former Director General of the National Institute for Nanotechnology; and Stephen Slemon, Professor of English & Film Studies and President of the Association of Canadian College and University Teachers of English.

"The Canadian Association of University Teachers is sponsoring town hall meetings in cities across Canada to allow eminent  scientists and researchers to talk with the public about what is happening to research and science in Canada," said James L. Turk, Executive Director of CAUT. "Misguided government science policies are diverting funding away from fundamental research, forcing the closing of vital research centres, discontinuing the collection of essential data, and undermining Canada's future as a scientific leader."

Turk said the town halls are a chance for the public and the scientists to look at what is happening and discuss what should be done.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of 68,000 academic and general staff at universities and colleges across the country. For more information on CAUT's "Get Science Right" Campaign, visit getscienceright.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

For further information:

James Turk, CAUT Executive Director, 613-277-0488 (cell)
Angela Regnier, CAUT Communications Officer, 613-601-6304 (cell); [e-mail] (email)