The Science of Surprise: Arctic Canada – charged with the unexpected

For five decades John England has conducted research in the Canadian Arctic: from ice age to present. 

His innovative research includes documenting past ice sheets, sea level change, variations in sea ice and ocean currents. He has lobbied passionately for the establishment of a long overdue Canadian Polar Policy and proposed the establishment of Canada’s northernmost National Park on Ellesmere Island. 

As a Faculty of Science researcher and Professor emeritus at University of Alberta, he has instructed university courses on the Arctic for more than 35 years. He is a celebrated advocate for the importance of Northern science, the heritage of the Canadian Arctic landscape and has been an invited speaker on Arctic environmental change across the Globe. 

In 2017 John England was named to the Order of Canada for his lifelong contributions to research in the Canadian Arctic and environmental advocacy. Other impressive accolades received by Dr. England include induction as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Weston Family Lifetime achievement in Northern Research.