A renowned palaeontologist from the University of Otago has been recognised for his ability to take science from the laboratory to the public.
Associate Prof Nic Rawlence has been awarded the New Zealand Association of Scientists’ Cranwell Medal for excellence in communicating science to the general public in any area of science or technology.
"I feel humbled and on cloud nine at the same time," he said.
"I would not be able to do the level of science communication I do without a very supportive family and lab group. This award is as much for them as it is for me."
Assoc Prof Rawlence is the director of the Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, where he uses ancient DNA and palaeontology to reconstruct prehistoric Aotearoa New Zealand, and investigates how it has changed and how this information can be used for evidence-based guardianship and conservation management of taonga species.
He is a regular writer for The Conversation and one of the leading scientists internationally to speak against de-extinction.
He has given hundreds of interviews to national and international media about his lab’s research and topical science issues, appeared in several international documentaries, and given numerous free public lectures.
Assoc Prof Rawlence said he was always interested in palaeontology and dinosaurs as a kid, and that interest had never gone away.
"I get to work with fossils and reconstruct prehistoric ecosystems through time using a varied toolkit as a paid job. It’s a kid’s dream come true," he said.
Originally from Nelson, he met his wife, Maria, also a palaeontologist, while both were doing PhDs in Adelaide and she is now a high school science teacher.
Assoc Prof Rawlence said his two children— Grant, 11, and Will, 9, — loved palaeontology and really enjoyed going on fieldwork with him to excavate fossils with scientists from around the world.
"I’m currently working on reconstructing prehistoric Aotearoa whether hundreds of years or tens of millions of years ago; how this ecosystem responded to our dynamic geological, climatic and human history; and how we can use this information for evidence-based kaitiakitanga and conservation management."
He understood his role as a scientist involves more than just his research in the laboratory and field.
"I want to show the public the wonders of science and take them on a journey using all forms of science communication," he said.
"My lab’s research attracts lots of media attention, which is a fantastic way to mentor and support my postgraduate students and early career researchers on their own science communication journeys."
"As a science communicator at a university, our critic and conscience role is vitally important given many New Zealand scientists at Crown Research Institutes and museums can’t speak out publicly.
"I also like being able to inspire the next generation of science communicators and being able to give back to the community through popular science articles and workshops aimed at kids, to writing modules for high school science and biology students, and professional development of teachers, including working with my old high school Nayland College in Nelson."
The medal, formerly known as the science communicator medal, honours the late Dr Lucy Cranwell, an internationally renowned botanist and palynologist who instilled a love of botany in children.
Assoc Prof Rawlence has also just been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand in recognition of his science communication efforts.
