CALLUM C.J. SUTHERLAND, BComm

MA Candidate, Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University

President and Founder, Milky Way Musings: A Science Education Not-for-Profit Organization

[ callumsutherland.com ] – [ milkywaymusings.com ] – [ callum.cj.sutherland@gmail.com ]

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SUMMARY STATEMENT

As a graduate student in Science and Technology Studies I hope to study boundary work in public science policy. More specifically, I am interested in studying disputes over epistemological primacy occurring at the boundaries between science, politics, and the public. This interest is at the centre of my current research on the Cohen Commission and the sockeye salmon crisis in British Columbia. I am also interested in exploring public engagement in scientific debates, the public understanding of science, and gender issues in science.

EDUCATION

2012 – 2013 (Expected)

MA Candidate, Science and Technology Studies

Institution

Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University

Field

Public Science

CGPA

8.00 ( A )

2010 – 2012

Bachelor of Commerce with Honours, Business Management

Institution

Ted Rogers School of Business Management, Ryerson University

Major

Accounting

CGPA

3.51 ( A- )

2007 – 2010

Advanced Diploma with Honours, Business Administration

Institution

The Business School, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Specialization

Corporate Finance, Canadian Securities

CGPA

87% ( A )

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

2012 – Present

Teaching Assistant, Division of Natural Science, York University

Grading essays and assignments for NATS 1745, History of Astronomy

2012 – Present

Graduate Editorial Assistant, Isis, The History of Science Society

Working in the book review office, I am responsible for assisting in administrative tasks relating to book review production, including processing review requests, commissions, receipts, book orders, and database upkeep and maintenance.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Topic

Purpose

Epistemological primacy in boundary work

To examine how disparate epistemologies are synthesized (or not synthesized) in the course of boundary work

Science and citizenship

To evaluate efforts to ‘democratize’ science and engage publics in scientific disputes

Public understanding of science

To investigate the extent to which the public understands scientific knowledge as it is socially constructed, and, indeed, the fact that it is socially constructed

Science and gender

To evaluate the effectiveness of policies designed to reduce gender barriers in science

SELECTED COURSEWORK

Fall 2012

STS 5001: Introduction to Science and Technology Studies

Institution

York University, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Professor

Dr. Richard Jarrell

Grade achieved: A

Fall 2012

STS 6109: Gender and the Human Sciences

Institution

York University, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Professor

Dr. Alexandra Rutherford

Grade achieved: A

Fall 2012

PSYC 6061: Historiography of Psychology

Institution

York University, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Professor

Dr. Michael Pettit

Grade achieved: A

Winter 2012

HST 425: History of Science and Technology II

Institution

Ryerson University, Department of History

Professor

Dr. J. Conor Burns

Grade achieved: A+

Fall 2011

HST 787: Astronomy vs. Astrology

Institution

Ryerson University, Department of History

Professor

Dr. J. Conor Burns

Grade achieved: A+

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND HONOURS

2012 – 2013

Graduate Entrance Scholarship

Institution

Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University

Description

“Graduate Entrance Scholarships are offered to … top-ranked incoming students.”[i]

May 2012

Dean’s List, 2011 – 2012 Academic Year

Institution

Ted Rogers School of Business Management, Ryerson University

Criteria

Minimum GPA of 3.50 for the academic year[ii]

November 2010

Hank Bedard Award for Excellence in Finance

Institution

The Business School, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Description

“[Awarded to] a full-time, third-year Business Administration Student who has demonstrated a passion for finance through course work and/or extracurricular activities....”[iii]

Monetary value

$2,000.00

2008 – 2010

Honours Standing, 2007–2008, 2008–2009, and 2009–2010 Academic Years

Institution

The Business School, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Criteria

Minimum GPA of 80% for the academic year

PERSONAL INITIATIVES

2010 – Present

President, Founder and Creative Director, Milky Way Musings

Purpose

Milky Way Musings (“MWM”) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to producing educational, engaging, and inspiring science-themed programming and multimedia. Assisted by seven enthusiastic volunteers,[iv] MWM targets the layperson and the scientific professional alike. We aim to produce original creative content that balances technical depth and explanatory breadth. In the process, we hope to raise awareness about important scientific issues in the public sphere, and to serve as a source of inspiration and support for those engaged in professional scientific endeavours.[v]

Impact statistics

(As of December 30, 2012)

YouTube Channel

·         Subscribers: 9,900+

·         Video views: 2,000,000+

Facebook Fan Page

·         Total likes: 4,200+

·         Friends of fans: 1,500,000+

Achievements

MWM has led or participated in various social media campaigns to raise awareness about contemporary issues in public science. Notable campaigns include:

·         When a funding shortfall forced the SETI Institute to put the Allen Telescope Array into hibernation, MWM responded by producing Darkness,[vi] a SETI-themed episode of the flagship Carl Sagan Tribute Series, and managed a corresponding social media awareness campaign in support of SETI’s fundraising efforts.[vii]

·         As legislators moved to de-fund the James Webb Space Telescope (“JWST”), SaveJWST founder Raphael Perrino turned to MWM for help in producing multimedia content that would support the call for continued funding. This resulted in the creation of Genesis, an original video which placed the JWST in its proper historical context and laid out its potential for advancing our knowledge of the universe.[viii]

·         In response to a Nature editorial arguing that the Canadian federal government is effectively censoring its scientists, MWM launched a social media awareness campaign to advocate for less restrictive communication policies.[ix] With the support of various opposition MPs,[x] MWM created a petition which would eventually collect almost 500 signatures[xi]

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2010 – 2012

Administrative Support, Accounting Department, Ryerson University

Description

Assisted the Administrative Assistant to the Chair, Accounting, with both the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department and the completion of long-term projects

Notable achievements

·         Redesigned numerous department processes and information systems to boost productivity and enhance organization.

·         Using Visual Basic, I streamlined these spreadsheets into a productivity suite to allow my successor to perform required tasks regardless of technical ability[xii]

·         Assisted in the preparation of the faculty’s Periodic Program Review

2009 – 2010

Office Assistant, The Business School, Humber College

Description

Assisted with both the day-to-day operations of The Business School and long-term projects

Notable achievements

Completed numerous special projects, including developing, implementing, and utilizing a new system for ordering and tracking existing inventory of course materials

2006 – 2009

Assistant Manager, Cineplex Entertainment Inc.

Description

Managed daily theatre operations through balancing operational efficiency with cost effectiveness, and supported senior managers in the creation and execution of longer-term revenue-generating and cost-cutting initiatives

Notable achievements

·         Designed and put into practice numerous internal controls to ensure reporting integrity

·         Succeeded in conducting numerous fraud and theft investigations

2003 – 2006

Corporate Trainer, Cineplex Entertainment Inc.

Description

Supported management in the hiring, training, and development of staff new and old, including facilitating new-employee orientation classes and monitoring hands-on training

Notable achievements

Selected in the summer of 2006 to teach orientation classes, conduct hands-on training, and oversee initial operations for the grand opening of Galaxy Cinemas Milton in Milton, Ontario

ENDNOTES

[ii] Ted Rogers School of Business Management Dean's List: http://www.ryerson.ca/studentguide/AcademicMatters25.html

[iii] Hank Bedard Award for Excellence in Finance: http://business.humber.ca/resources/scholarships-and-awards

[iv] MilkyWayMusings.com (Our Team): http://milkywaymusings.com/about

[v] MilkyWayMusings.com (Our Mission): http://milkywaymusings.com/mission

[vi] Carl Sagan Tribute Series, Episode 9: Darkness: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEiEwQ7Rf4g

[vii] The SETI Institute advertising our SETI-themed video on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SETIInstitute/statuses/98456785865809920

[viii] saveJWST video contest submission, Genesis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDS-xt-yJ-k

[ix] Milky Way Musings article: Set Canadian Scientists Free: http://milkywaymusings.com/post/18855994198/set-canadian-scientists-free

[x] Our petition was “re-tweeted” by numerous MPs, including Elizabeth May, Green MP; Ted Hsu, Liberal MP and Science Critic; Hélčne LeBlanc, NDP MP and Science Critic; and Justin Trudeau, Liberal MP: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150574912431502&set=a.110994761501.109372.505341501

[xii] TRSBM Digital Assistant tutorial videos: http://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL082DA8E791C7D77E