HALIFAX, NS – On November 23, Dr. Timothy Webster, Research Scientist at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), received the first ever Public Impact Award at the 20th Annual Discovery Awards at the Halifax Convention Centre. The award was sponsored and presented by Research Nova Scotia.
The Public Impact Award is awarded to a researcher whose research has benefited the well-being of the province and people of Nova Scotia. The recipient’s work intentionally responds to the needs of society, solves a problem, manages a risk, or creates an opportunity for Nova Scotians.
“Dr. Webster is dedicated to protecting Nova Scotia’s communities and infrastructure from the threats of climate change. His work is inspired by this urgent issue in the province, and so we are thrilled to recognize his work through this Public Impact Award,” says Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia.
Dr. Webster has been a Research Scientist with NSCC’s Applied Geometrics Research Group since 2000. He is one of the top researchers in the geomatics sector. His work examines the impacts of flood-risks, climate impacts, coastal erosion, and ocean pollution. As a province surrounded by water, Nova Scotia is vulnerable to these threats.
For over 25 years, Dr. Webster has worked to understand and map out these challenges, improve science, and collaborate with government, industry, community partners, and the public to better protect Nova Scotia.
The importance of Dr. Webster’s work was evident during Hurricane Fiona when his research team predicted areas of Nova Scotia that would be most affected, identifying vulnerable areas using their mapping program. The information from Dr. Webster’s work could inform changes to protect vulnerable communities.
Additionally, Dr. Webster supports and inspires the next generation to continue to protect Nova Scotia’s vulnerable infrastructure.
Finalists for the Public Impact Award also included Professor Jennifer Llewellyn at Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law and Dr. David Percival at the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus. The work of all the finalists has made lasting impacts on Nova Scotians.
Learn more about Dr. Webster’s work in Season 2, Episode 5 of the Beyond Research Podcast.