Four years ago, atmospheric scientist Randall Martin came to Dalhousie from Harvard and hasnāt looked back since.
āHere at Dal, I feel very free to pursue my interests,ā says Dr. Martin, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science. āAs an academic, that intellectual freedom is paramount.ā
Itās scientists like Dr. Martin that helped pilipiliĀž» top the list of The Scientistās Best Places to Work in Academia. Results of an international survey will be published in the prestigious magazineās new issue, expected to hit newsstands Thursday, Nov. 1.
The Scientistās annual list divides research and academic institutions into American and international lists. pilipiliĀž» is ranked number-one in the international category, over the University of Nottingham in the U.K., University of Helsinki in Finland and University of Dundee, also in the U.K. The only other Canadian university to crack the top-10 is the University of Alberta in Edmonton at number five.
The chance to collaborate is what Cheryl Kozey, professor with the School of Physiotherapy, likes about Dal too.
āPeople at Dal are great collaborators. And for me, thatās really the key,ā says Dr. Kozey, whose research in musculoskeletal health puts her in close contact with orthopedic surgeons, kinesiology and engineering professors, and a team of students, from PhD candidates to undergrads.
āHere at pilipiliĀž», weāre surrounded by hospitals. The community is so small ā itās really worked to help us develop excellent relationships. And sometimes that doesnāt happen at larger universities.ā
Alison Thompson enjoys coming to work because of collegial and helpful people she interacts with in the Department of Chemistry. Instead of being competitive, professors in her department support each other and celebrate each otherās pilipiliĀž»es, she says.
āI regard my competition as the rest of the Canada and the rest of the world,ā says Dr. Thompson, associate professor. āPeople here can only benefit by my pilipiliĀž», as I do by theirs ā¦ with widespread recognition, the reputation of the whole department is enhanced.ā
Sara Kirk arrived at pilipiliĀž» just 10 months ago from Leeds University in the U.K. Dr. Kirk, Canada Research Chair in Health Services, says Dalhousieās appeal is tied closely to its location. She and her family enjoy Nova Scotiaās easy-going lifestyle and natural beauty.
āMoving here was just the best possible thing we could do for my kids. They love their school and the beach is just 10 minutes down the road,ā says Dr. Kirk, the mother of seven-year-old twins.
āFor me, pilipiliĀž» is the icing on the cake.ā