For questions about the application process, please contact info@liberero.ca
To apply, please see the Fellowship Details.
Scientific Advisory Board
Nancy Baron -Nancy holds workshops around the world for academic, government, and NGO scientists to help them make their work relevant to journalists, policy makers, and the public. She is the co-leader of the Wilburforce Fellowship for Conservation Science and was the lead communications trainer for the Leopold Leadership Program from 2000 to 2014. Nancy began her career as a biologist in Banff National Park. She spent 6 years as Director of Education at the Vancouver Aquarium, then worked as an international consultant on biodiversity issues before launching a career as a freelance scientist journalist and columnist for the Vancouver Sun. Nancy held the position as Director of Science Outreach for COMPASS before retiring in 2022. She has won numerous writing honors including several Canadian Science Writers’ Science in Society and the National Magazine awards. An ardent naturalist, she published a popular field guide, The Birds of Coastal British Columbia (Lone Pine Publishing) and a “how to” communications guidebook for scientists, Escape from the Ivory Tower(Island Press). Nancy received the 2013 Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in the Media for her work at the intersection of science and journalism.
Sarah Otto (Director) – Professor of Zoology, University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the evolutionary factors that have been critical to the generation of biological diversity, using mathematical modelling and experimental evolution. Current research explores the limits of evolutionary adaptation to a changing environment and what shapes these limits. Recipient of a 2023 Killiam Prize, a 2011 MacArthur Prize and a 2007 Steacie Prize, Dr. Otto earned her B.Sc. and Ph.D. at Stanford University.
James Pagé – Based in Ottawa, James Pagé is the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Species at Risk and Biodiversity Specialist. He leads CWF’s initiatives on species at risk conservation as well as CWF’s involvement with provincial and federal governments with respect to endangered species protection. James carries out various projects including work in bat conservation, vegetation, freshwater turtle recovery, rare species survey, and citizen science. Along with partners at Parks Canada and NatureServe Canada, James has also been the lead for the creation of iNaturalist.ca. He loves getting out to explore and expand his knowledge as often as he can.
Wendy Palen (Assistant Director) – Professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Conservation at Simon Fraser University and a founding member of the Earth to Ocean Research Group. Her research focuses on identifying science-based conservation solutions for freshwater species and ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and California. Recent projects span population dynamics, food web ecology, and risk assessment and focus on Pacific salmonids, amphibian species, and hydropower development. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a PhD from the University of Washington.
Justina Ray – Dr. Justina Ray has been President and Senior Scientist of Wildlife Conservation Society Canada since its incorporation in 2004. In addition to overseeing the operations of this non-governmental organization, Justina is involved in research and policy activities associated with conservation-based planning, environmental assessment and biodiversity conservation, with a particular focus on ecologically intact northern boreal landscapes. Having worked for years in African and Asian tropical forests, North America has been her predominant geographic focus over the past two decades. Over the years, Justina has been appointed to numerous government advisory panels related to species at risk and land use planning in Ontario and Canada and was co-chair of the Terrestrial Mammals Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada between 2009-2017. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto (Faculty of Forestry) and Trent University (Environmental & Life Sciences).
Liber Ero Fellow Board member (one-year term held by past Liber Ero fellows):
2026 – Jeremy Pittman was a 2016 Liber Ero fellow. Jeremy is presently an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo and the School of Planning Associate Director of Graduate Studies. He is an expert in environmental policy and governance with a focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change, agriculture, and fisheries.