THE SANDFORD FLEMING MEDAL & CITATION WINNERS
2024: Alanna Mitchell
During her 37 years as a journalist, author, playwright and theatre performer, Alanna Mitchell has been driven by a passion to democratize science. That means reporting on scientists’ findings in the usual journalistic ways. But Alanna does far more than that. She scours the scientific literature over time to find trends, grills scientists about them, travels to see their work in the field, investigates what they are discovering and then figures out the larger implications – across disciplines. She is able to synthesize vast amounts of new information and draw out meaning. Better still, she can write about it fluently and engagingly. That has led to five books of literary non-fiction. More surprisingly, it resulted in her becoming a playwright and theatre performer as a means of explaining some of her findings about the threats of climate heating for the global ocean. She wrote a non-fiction one-woman play (with help from two theatre directors) based on one of her books that she has performed for 10 years on four continents, including a U.S. premiere at the Kennedy Center last year. Literally thousands of people who would never read a science book or article have attended her award-winning play.
2023: Terry Collins
A knowledge translator for over 27 years, Terry Collins’ reporting has been picked up by journalists in Canada and worldwide, awakening public interest in and deepening understanding of diverse sciences, fostering political will, and mobilizing resources for change.
He has interpreted and explained the essence and importance of research findings from scores of scientific institutions, including ten UN bodies. His work has benefitted critical global causes and advanced many scientific careers. Most notably, Terry’s behind-the-scenes efforts made an impactful contribution to the UN’s historic Global Biodiversity Framework agreement in 2022.
The trust journalists have in Terry’s news judgement and accuracy has been the genesis of more than 110,000 online mainstream news articles in the past decade alone, generating more than 200 billion potential public impressions, over 2 billion of which were the result of 4,300 articles at 750 different Canadian online sites.
2022: Dr. Dawn Bazely
For more than 30 years, Dr. Dawn Bazely has been an advocate of science in Canada, a champion for women, marginalized and low-income students in STEM, and a promoter of Indigenous knowledge and wisdom.
An award-winning Professor in York University’s Faculty of Science, Dr. Bazely has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, research and science outreach. She is a mentor for early career scientists, co-founder of the Seneca College Science Communication Summer Institute and advocate for improved policy to make science more inclusive.
She has organized and participated in countless public science events, media interviews and documentaries, speaking about her ecological research and as an expert commentator on a wide range of science and science-policy issues. She is often consulted by policy makers from diverse sectors ranging from conservation biology to ecotourism and climate change adaptation. Her leadership, advocacy, and expertise make her a champion of access to science knowledge and a fierce leader in evidence-informed policy making.
2021: André Picard
For over 30 years, André Picard has contributed to the national public conversation on health and medicine. In addition to being a staff writer at The Globe and Mail, he is the author of six bestselling books, including his most recent Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic. Without his contributions, Canadians today would undoubtedly be less knowledgeable, less healthy and policymakers less accountable in their actions on a range of medical and social issues.
From the AIDS epidemic and blood crisis of the mid-80s to addiction, abortion, assisted death, mental health and today’s global COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Picard’s writing consistently puts a human face on medical science and health policy, marrying scientific precision with sincere and principled compassion.
2020: Timothy Caulfield
A professor of law and public health, and researcher that has spent over two decades tackling misinformation, particularly in health and science. As a former Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, he has published nearly 400 academic articles and authored multiple national bestsellers. His work extends to television, hosting and producing award-winning documentaries, including a globally streamed series. A Member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of several esteemed scientific organizations, he is a leading advocate for evidence-based science, frequently engaging the public through writing, media appearances, and the #ScienceUpFirst initiative.
2019: Dan Falk
One of Canada’s most active science writers and communicators. A regular contributor to several CBC Radio programs, including Ideas and Quirks & Quarks. His books have been translated into French, Portuguese, Hebrew, and Chinese.
2018: John Smol
A distinguished university professor at Queen’s University, he holds the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change and co-directs the Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory (PEARL). A leader in paleolimnology, his research focuses on long-term environmental changes, including climate change, eutrophication, and acidification, particularly in the Arctic. He has been the founding editor of the Journal of Paleolimnology and the editor-in-chief of Environmental Reviews for over two decades. A prominent science ambassador, he emphasizes the value of research, education, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
2017: Pierre Chastenay
An accomplished astronomer, science educator, and communicator, he is a professor of science didactics at the University of Quebec in Montreal, specializing in astronomy education, primary science, and scientific mediation. Formerly in charge of educational activities at Montreal's Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, he has authored numerous books on astronomy for young audiences. Since 2008, he has hosted the science popularization TV show The Chastenay Code. His work focuses on making science accessible, particularly in the Francophone world, and ensuring quality science education in Quebec.
2016: Ivan Semeniuk
An award-winning science journalist and broadcaster, he covers the science beat for The Globe and Mail. With a background in astronomy, physics, and science journalism, he has held roles as the U.S. news editor for Nature, bureau chief for New Scientist, and producer for Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet. He has taught science journalism at Carleton University and the University of Toronto, and was a Knight Fellow at MIT. In addition to his journalism work, he hosts the astronomy series Cosmic Vistas and is a prominent figure in global science communication.
2015: Molly Shoichet
A leading scientist in tissue engineering, she holds the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair at the University of Toronto, focusing on drug and cell delivery in the central nervous system and 3D hydrogel models for cancer research. She has published extensively, delivered hundreds of lectures worldwide, and mentored nearly 200 researchers. The only individual inducted into all three of Canada’s National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Health Sciences, she has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Order of Ontario, the Killam Prize, and induction as an Officer of the Order of Canada. A strong advocate for science outreach and commercialization, she co-founded multiple spin-off companies and served as Ontario’s first chief scientist, working to enhance scientific culture.
2014: Penny Park
After working briefly at CBC radio, she became a producer for CBC's Quirks & Quarks and later worked at Discovery Channel for 16 years as a producer and documentary maker for Daily Planet. In 2010, she founded the Science Media Centre of Canada, a non-profit organization aimed at providing accurate scientific information to journalists. Through her work, she ensured that traditional media outlets could deliver accurate and engaging science content to the public.
2013: Chris Hadfield
A celebrated astronaut, engineer, and pilot, he became the first Canadian to walk in space and later commanded the International Space Station, captivating millions with his social media insights from orbit. A former fighter pilot and top test pilot in both the US Air Force and Navy, he has flown over 70 aircraft types and played a key role in building space stations and operating the Canadarm. A bestselling author, musician, and science communicator, he has hosted acclaimed TV series, advised leading space companies, and serves as an adjunct professor. His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Order of Canada and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
2012: Robert Thirsk
A Canadian astronaut, he became the first to participate in a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station in 2009. In addition to his space career, he served as Vice-President of Public, Government, and Institute Affairs at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and as Chancellor of the University of Calgary. A strong advocate for exploration and innovation, he was featured on a Canada Post stamp in 2003, and a Calgary high school was named in his honor.
2011: John Dirks
A distinguished clinician-scientist and leader in nephrology, he has made significant contributions to renal physiology and held key positions in medical faculties across Canada. His work in international health includes contributions at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. Most notably, he transformed the Gairdner Foundation, elevating its international awards program to recognize groundbreaking biomedical research. His leadership strengthened academic health centers nationwide, and his dedication to medical excellence earned him appointments to the Order of Canada and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
2010: Paul Delaney
Oversees York University’s Astronomical Observatory and its associated Public Outreach activities. Has written numerous articles on astronomy for local newspapers and magazines and has been a regular radio and television commentator, elaborating upon recent astronomical discoveries and the highlights of space missions.
2009: David Schindler
Killam Chair and Professor Ecology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, he is well known for his many public presentations and lay articles on issues concerning freshwater and boreal landscapes. His work has influenced policies to control eutrophication and acid rain.
2008: Henry Lickers
A Haudenosaunee citizen of the Seneca Nation and a member of the Turtle Clan, for many years he has been the Director of the Department of Environment for the Mohawk Council of Awkesasne. He has mentored many young members of the First Nations, teaching them the ways of modern science, strengthened by the insights and values of his own people.
2007: Peter Calamai
National science writer for the Toronto Star since 1998, he has received three major science journalism awards in this period. It is the responsibility of science journallists to develop an understanding of science in their readers by telling its exciting, controversial, and sometimes troubling stories. He has worked tirelessly and passionately to tell those stories.
2006: Paul Fjeld
Internationally-known space artist, writer, commentator and author. His extraordinary talent is able to capture what the camera does not, to comment on exploration and adventure, to take you to places you could not go, and to document the scientific and technological pursuits of the U.S. space program for history.
2005: Joe Schwarcz
A chemist, science communicator, and Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, he is dedicated to separating fact from misinformation. Known for his engaging public lectures, he has received numerous awards, including the American Chemical Society’s Grady-Stack Award and McGill’s Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement. A frequent media contributor, he hosts The Dr. Joe Show on CJAD and has appeared on Discovery Channel, CTV, CBC, and more. He writes The Right Chemistry column and has authored 18 books on science and skepticism. An amateur magician, he often incorporates magic into his presentations.
2004: M. Brock Fenton
A biologist, educator, and internationally respected expert on bats, he has studied their ecology and biology worldwide, including in Costa Rica, Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. As chair of the biology department at the University of Western Ontario, he has contributed to both research and science education. His books, such as The Bat: Wings in the Night Sky, explore bat communication and conservation. Dedicated to increasing public awareness, he has led lectures, school visits, teacher workshops, and media outreach — often accompanied by live bats — to promote understanding of these misunderstood creatures.
2003: Robert Buckman
An oncologist, writer, and performer, he combined medicine with a passion for comedy and communication. After training in the UK, he performed live comedy, wrote for BBC Radio 4’s Week Ending and LWT’s Doctor On the Go, and later moved to Canada in 1985 to continue his medical career. While working at Sunnybrook and Princess Margaret hospitals in Toronto, he became a pioneer in communication and supportive care in medicine. As a professor at the University of Toronto, he also produced science and medical documentaries, including Magic or Medicine? and Human Wildlife: The Life That Lives On Us, blending humor and science to engage audiences.
2002: Bob McDonald
A passionate science communicator for over 40 years, he has engaged audiences through television, radio, print, and live presentations. As host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks, a regular contributor to The National, and host of award-winning programs like Heads Up!, he has brought science to the forefront of Canadian media. An accomplished author, he has written four science books and contributed to numerous publications, including The Globe and Mail and Owl Magazine. He also serves on the board of Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and is a sought-after public speaker. His contributions to science communication have earned him numerous accolades, including a Gemini Award.
2001: J. N. Patterson Hume
A true pioneer of Canadian computing and science education, he developed software for Canada’s first electronic computer and was a founding member of the University of Toronto’s Computer Science Department. He co-created The Nature of Things and was a leading advocate for using film and video in science education. As a physicist and computer scientist, he co-authored over 20 books and served as Chair of Computer Science at U of T. His contributions earned him recognition as a Member of the Order of Canada, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery. He was inducted into the Canadian Information Productivity Awards Hall of Fame in 2002.
2000: Ursula Martius Franklin
She was a physicist, educator, feminist, and social activist who pioneered archaeometry, applying modern materials analysis to archaeology. A specialist in metals and alloys, she worked as a senior research scientist before joining the University of Toronto in 1967. Passionate about the impact of science on society, she played a key role in the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, analyzing radioactive fallout in children's teeth. Her influential book The Real World of Technology, based on her Massey Lectures, explored the relationship between technology and society. A Companion of the Order of Canada and Senior Fellow at Massey College, U of T, she received numerous awards for her scientific and humanitarian contributions, including the Pearson Peace Medal.
1999: John Charles Polanyi
A Nobel Prize-winning chemist (1986) whose groundbreaking research revolutionized the study of chemical reactions. After working as a research associate at Princeton, he joined the University of Toronto in 1956, later becoming a professor and university professor. Beyond his scientific achievements, he has been a strong advocate for pure research, a vocal critic of short-sighted science policies, and an active participant in peace and disarmament movements. As the founding chair of the Canadian Pugwash Group, he has spoken and written extensively on science, creativity, and global security.
1998: Sid Katz
Teacher, broadcaster, writer and award-winning science communicator. He has been a leader in science education and communication for over 35 years, helping develop science centers worldwide and co-founding the first internet science magazine, The Branium. He has contributed extensively to CBC and CTV as a science journalist and held leadership roles at Science World British Columbia and the Ontario Science Centre. A Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of British Columbia since 1975, he has also served in key administrative positions, promoting public engagement with science.
1997: John R. Percy
Professor Emeritus with the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on variable stars and stellar evolution. Passionate about education and outreach, he developed resources to teach astronomy to students from grade school to university, as well as engage the general public in the wonders of the cosmos.
1996: Derek York
A geophysics professor, science writer, and former foreign principal investigator for NASA during the Apollo moon missions. He chaired the University of Toronto’s physics department (1992–1997) and was the J. Tuzo Wilson Professor of Geophysics (1995–2000). Recognized for his contributions to earth sciences, he won the Geological Association of Canada’s Past President’s Medal (1985) and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He also wrote science articles for The Globe and Mail (1980–1992), earning the Royal Society’s Bancroft Award (1986) for enhancing public understanding of earth sciences.
1995: Eve Savory
Vancouver-based reporter for CBC News: The National, specializing in medicine, science, and technology. She began her journalism career in 1974 with CBC Radio in Vancouver before moving into television as a parliamentary reporter. Over the years, she has reported from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Toronto, and Vancouver, covering environmental issues, health care, space exploration, and the fight against AIDS. Since 1991, she has been part of The National's Vancouver bureau.
1994: Edward Struzik
An award-winning journalist and author specializing in environmental and scientific issues. A fellow at Queen’s University’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, he has written extensively on climate change, Arctic ecosystems, and resource extraction. A Knight Science Journalism Fellow at Harvard and MIT, he researched environmental and evolutionary biology alongside leading scientists. His books include Future Arctic, The Big Thaw, and Northwest Passage. A frequent speaker and contributor to Yale Environment 360, he also serves on the board of the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee.
1993: Carol Gold
A science educator and author, she coordinated the Ontario Science Centre and brought hands-on science engagement to children through a series of interactive books. By blending entertainment with learning, she inspired young minds to explore scientific concepts through experiments at home. Her works include Scienceworks, Foodworks, How Sport Works, and The Jumbo Book of Science, which introduced children to engaging, inquiry-based learning.
1992: Terence Dickinson
A leading astronomy writer in North America, he was the editor and co-owner of SkyNews and authored several books, including the bestselling NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe. His work appeared in Maclean’s, Reader’s Digest, and Canadian Geographic, and he contributed regularly to CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks and the Canadian Discovery Channel. Over his career, he wrote 14 books on astronomy — many featuring his own photography — and co-authored nine others, inspiring both children and adults to explore the night sky.
1991: Annabel Slaight
A champion of science, nature, and environmental education, she played a pivotal role in inspiring generations of Canadian children. She co-founded OWL Magazines, Books, and Television, reaching over 16 million families since 1976. As Founding Chair of the Ontario Water Centre and ClearWater Farm, she has worked to protect Lake Simcoe, co-founding Ladies of the Lake and serving on the Lake Simcoe Coordinating Committee. She also chaired the Shaw Rocket Fund, supporting children's television production. Her contributions have earned her the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario.
1990: Joan Hollobon and Marilyn Dunlop
Hollobon (left): A trailblazing medical reporter, she spent decades bridging the gap between the medical profession and the public. Covering major milestones from the founding of medicare in Canada to the early AIDS pandemic, her work fostered greater public health awareness and patient advocacy. Through her hands-on reporting, she helped shift the medical field’s communication style — transforming it from a top-down approach to a more engaging and accessible dialogue.
Dunlop (right): A veteran journalist and medical reporter, she built a 28-year career at a major Canadian newspaper, becoming a leader in health reporting. After serving as a bureau chief in London, U.K., she returned to medical journalism, covering everything from open-heart surgery in Hungary to the risks of excessive vitamin use. She also took on an informal mentoring role, helping to support and guide younger reporters, particularly women, in a male-dominated newsroom.
1989: Fred Bruemmer
A renowned wildlife photographer, writer, and researcher, he spent much of his career documenting the Arctic’s landscapes, wildlife, and Inuit communities. For nearly three decades, he divided his time between his family home in Montreal and extended stays in the North, where he immersed himself in Inuit culture and daily life. Rejecting traditional assignments, he worked independently, publishing over 1,000 articles and 27 books, with his work appearing in Canadian Geographic, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. His 1974 book, The Arctic, was hailed as one of the most comprehensive on the subject. Deeply critical of government policies aimed at erasing Inuit culture, he viewed his work as a means of preserving and honoring the traditions and knowledge of the Arctic’s Indigenous peoples.
1988: Fernand Seguin
A pioneering science communicator and biochemist, he began sharing scientific knowledge with the public in 1947 as a speaker on Radio-Collège. His role soon expanded, and he became a regular science columnist, co-hosting Knowledge of Man alongside Dr. Paul Dumas, professor of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal. While leading a biochemistry lab at Saint-Jean-de-Dieu psychiatric hospital, he established a biochemical research department in 1950, advocating the then-revolutionary idea that mental illnesses could have biological causes. Passionate about making science accessible, he launched Science in Its Slippers (1954-1955), the first science television show. Over his career at Radio-Canada, he contributed to around twenty science programs, including The Life That Beats, The Novel of Science, and Science and You.
1987: J. Tuzo Wilson
A renowned geophysicist and geologist, he was a key figure in the development of plate tectonics theory and received numerous honors, including the Vetlesen Prize (1978), often considered the Nobel equivalent for earth sciences. His groundbreaking research covered glaciers, mountain formation, ocean basin geology, and continental structures. He also pioneered the use of aerial photography in geological mapping and produced Canada's first glacial map. Beyond research, he served as director general of the Ontario Science Centre (1974-85), remained active at the University of Toronto as a professor emeritus, and later served as chancellor of York University (1983-86).
1986: Jay Ingram
A respected science broadcaster and writer, he co-hosted Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet for 16 years, helping shape its format as television’s only daily prime-time science and nature news magazine. Before that, he hosted CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks (1979-1992), winning two ACTRA Awards, and later hosted Cranial Pursuits and The Talk Show, the latter earning a Science in Society Journalism Award. He wrote for Owl Magazine and had a weekly science column in The Toronto Star for 12 years. From 2005 to 2015, he chaired the Science Communications Program at the Banff Centre, promoting creative science storytelling. A dynamic speaker, he makes complex scientific topics engaging and accessible to diverse audiences.
1985: Helen Sawyer Hogg
A world expert on globular clusters, she significantly advanced the understanding of stellar evolution, the Milky Way’s origins, and the location and age of stars. Her Catalogue of Variable Stars in Globular Clusters became a foundational astronomical resource. She was also a skilled administrator, serving as president of several scientific organizations and becoming the founding president of the Canadian Astronomical Society in 1971. Beyond academia, she popularized astronomy through public lectures, a widely read Toronto Star column (With the Stars, 1951-1981), and her book The Stars Belong to Everyone (1976). Her contributions earned her numerous awards, including appointment as a Companion of the Order of Canada. A mentor to many, she inspired generations of women to pursue careers in science.
1984: Lister Sinclair
A writer, actor, critic, producer, and mathematician — his wide-ranging interests included ornithology, astronomy, music, linguistics, and anthropology. A prolific playwright, he wrote The Blood Is Strong (1956) and Socrates (1957) and contributed extensively to CBC radio. He held key roles at CBC, shaping influential programs like Man at the Centre and The Nature of Things and was best known as the eloquent host of Ideas. His contributions to broadcasting earned him the George Foster Peabody Award, honorary doctorates from four universities, and the title of Officer of the Order of Canada in 1985.
1983: Lydia Dotto
A trailblazer in science journalism, she became a science reporter at The Globe and Mail in 1972, a time when women were largely underrepresented in both journalism and science. Her dedication to fact-finding and storytelling led her to cover major space missions, including Skylab, Apollo, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station programs. She made history as the first female member of the press corps on the USS Ticonderoga during the Skylab 2 recovery mission. As executive editor of the Canadian Science News Service and a leader of science writing workshops, she mentored and empowered future science writers. Her legacy continues through the Lydia Dotto Emerging Reporter Fund, established to honor her contributions and advocacy for women in science.
1982: David Suzuki
A geneticist, broadcaster, and environmental activist, he became one of Canada's most prominent scientists and media figures, best known for hosting The Nature of Things for over four decades. His pioneering work in fruit fly genetics gained international recognition, and he later used his platform to advocate for science and environmental issues, earning several prestigious awards, including the ACTRA John Drainie Award and Companion of the Order of Canada. As the host of Quirks and Quarks and a prolific author of over 50 books, including The Legacy and Salmon Forest, he has left a lasting impact on both the scientific community and public awareness of environmental sustainability.