| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
University of Canterbury scientist Dr Deirdre Hart has been awarded the Zonta Science Award for 2008.
The previous recipient of the award was Canterbury University academic Dr Victoria Metcalf (Biological Sciences).
Dr Hart (Geography) received her award from the Governor-General Anand Satyanand during a ceremony held at Government House.
Her prize consisted of a cheque for $10,000 and airfares for international travel. She was also presented with the Zonta Science Medal designed by Wellington sculptor Tanya Ashken.
Awarded biennially by the Wellington branch of Zonta, the international organisation of professional women, the Zonta Science Award was established in 1990 to promote science as a career for women as well as providing encouragement and recognition for those already working in scientific fields.
Award Convenor Sue Hope said the judges looked for an outstanding woman scientist who could use the award to further her career, as well as a person who could be an advocate for women in science and contributed to her community.
“We want a role model for other women scientists who will demonstrate the rewards of entering into the science field and Dr Hart certainly shows all these attributes.”
Dr Hart, a Canterbury University alumna, said she had been encouraged during her career by women scientists outside her field “who have demonstrated how to combine cutting-edge contributions alongside community engagement and family lives”.
She said the award would allow her to present at the International Coral Reef Symposium to be held in Florida in July and present her research, foster collaboration and learn about the workings of large academic teams at the University of Cambridge’s geography department.
“I propose to work with them to explore new analysis and modelling techniques for application in my research on river mouth lagoons. These freshwater environments occur at the mouths of gravelly rivers on high energy coasts in New Zealand, the UK, Canada, Russia and Argentina. Globally rare but locally common, these freshwater environments support internationally significant wetlands that include endangered fish and plant species.”
Dr Hart, a lecturer in coastal studies at UC, completed her PhD in geography and oceanography at the University of New South Wales, Australia, in 2004. Her current research concerns new analysis and modelling techniques for application in research on river mouth lagoons.
For further information please contact:
Stacey Doornenbal
Communications Officer
University of Canterbury
Ph: (03) 364 2987 ext 3809
stacey.doornenbal@canterbury.ac.nz