Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Organization
Polar Knowledge Canada and Simon Fraser University
Email
david.hik@polar-polaire.gc.ca
Phone
780-492-9878
Address
Z-1007 Biological Sciences Building
Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E9CanadaBioCanada Research Chair in Northern Ecology (2002-2012), Executive Director of the Canadian International Polar Year (IPY) Secretariat (2004-2009), President of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) from 2010-2014. Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and shared the RCGS Gold Medal in 2010; also awarded the Society’s Martin Bergmann Medal for Excellence in Arctic Leadership and Science in 2013 and Erebus Medal in 2015. Recipient of the Polar Medal (Canada) in 2016.

Science Specialties

tundra ecology, alpine ecology, plant/herbivore relations, albedo, climate change, science policy

Current Research

Current projects are focused on population dynamics and foraging ecology of herbivores in northern and mountain environments; responses of tundra and alpine vegetation to herbivory and climate change; treeline and shrubline landscape dynamics; and changes in whole-lake watersheds in the North. Also, research into Arctic science policy and the legacy of IPY.