Dal one of 2004's 'best places' for academic life scientists

November 19, 2004

Dal one of 2004's 'best places' for academic life scientists

According to The Scientist yearly survey

by Catherine Young

Once again, Dalhousie is one of the best places in the world for life sciences researchers to work. The Scientist, a well-regarded science magazine, recently named Dal as the fourth-best academic scientific institution in which to work outside the United States. Its annual Best Places to Work in Academia Survey names two "ten best" lists - one for the United States and one outside the United States. 

The University of Toronto and the University of Alberta topped the non-U.S. list, followed by the University of Dundee in Scotland and Dalhousie. "We're delighted with this recognition from The Scientist," said Carl Breckenridge, Vice-President of Research. "The survey shows that we're continuing to enjoy a great recognition among life scientists."

"There's a very active research community at Dalhousie. Scientists like working here and they enjoy living in the Halifax community," he added.

Biological oceanographer Anna Metaxas is one of those. A researcher with an international reputation, she could work anywhere but she chooses to live in Halifax and work in Dal's Oceanography department. (As part of an international scientific group, she recently studied subsea volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean's Marianas Trench.)

She says that global colleagues know her university. "Dalhousie oceanographers work in almost all the world oceans and our university is well-regarded around the world."

Dr. Metaxas enjoys the positive work environment she finds here. "We're well-funded. We're an interdisciplinary department with a lot of interaction between faculty and among disciplines," she says. "We do quite diverse research, from light to fish to whales...We're encouraged to interact with other departments, research departments and the world."

Many other Canadian scientists, inside and outside Dalhousie, seemed to rate their institutions highly. The Scientist gives the Canadian government partial credit for researchers' top ratings.

"Canada has been putting the pieces of the puzzle together in recent years, and a pretty picture is emerging for scientists. A new focus on innovative programs and increased funding for scientists suggests that it's no fluke that for the first time, five Canadian universities are in the top 10 of The Scientist's 2004 survey of the Best Places to Work in Academia," according to the Nov. 8 article titled "Oh Canada!"

McMaster University (5th) and the University of British Columbia (9th) are the other Canadian universities in the Top Ten.

The Nov. 8, 2004 issue focuses on the top academic institutions for scientists to work within and outside the United States.

The Scientist Survey: Best Places to Work in Academia 2004