Introducing climate scientist Dr Sophie Lewis

Introducing climate scientist Dr Sophie Lewis – readilearn

31 Replies

Last month during Science Week, I had the pleasure of attending an address at the Shine Dome in Canberra given by the winner of the2019  ACT Scientist of the Year Award, climate scientist Dr Sophie Lewis.

The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Scientist of the Year Award ‘recognises the achievements of an up-and-coming local scientist with significant potential to continue to achieve in their chosen field of research.’

As tomorrow 21 September is the International Day of Peace and this year’s theme is Climate Action for Peace, I thought this was the perfect time to introduce you to Sophie.

About climate scientist Sophie Lewis

Dr Sophie Lewis received the 2019 award for research and the development of innovative techniques that are helping climate scientists the world over understand the impacts of climate change at the local, national and global level.

On her website, Sophie says “My primary research work involves investigating the contributions of human and natural influences to recent extreme climate events in Australia, such as heatwaves and floods.  Attribution studies are useful for understanding the potential risks and costs associated with future climatic changes. My interests are climate extremes, climate change and variability, and communicating climate change.

I am currently a Lead Author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (WG1, AR6) and a Domain Editor for WIREs Climate Change.”

Becoming a climate scientist

While I appreciate the importance of Dr Lewis’s research to the future of our planet, as an educator, what I enjoyed most about her talk was the story of her journey to becoming a scientist. I think all teachers and parents must be aware of the power their attitudes and actions have on the development of future scientists. Sharing and encouraging an interest in the world around them can have an enormous impact.

Continue reading: Introducing climate scientist Dr Sophie Lewis – readilearn

31 thoughts on “Introducing climate scientist Dr Sophie Lewis – readilearn”

  2. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist)

    My comment didn’t show on Readilearn, so repeating it here:

    Great how you’ve extrapolated from Sophie’s journey to how other children can be inspired. Even if they don’t follow a scientific path in their careers, there’s so much to be gained from encouragement to be curious. No shortage of work for climate scientists — and philosophers and communicators like David Attenborough — right now.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you for your lovely comment on readilearn, Anne. I have released it from the spam box and answered it there. 🙂
      I totally agree with your comment. I’m pleased you copied it and were able to paste it in here without too much effort. I’m not sure why readilearn didn’t accept it. Hopefully next time it will. 🙂

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  3. Miriam Hurdle

    I enjoyed Sophie’s story, Norah. I’ll follow her research because I’m interested in the global climate. We’ve been watching Sr. David Attenborough’s nature documentary for five years. He has a series on Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania and other part of Australia that are very interesting. I want to follow up on what happen to the coral in Great Barrier Reef.

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    1. Norah Post author

      It would be wonderful for you to follow Sophie’s work, Miriam. I think we all need to be interested in and take positive steps for our environment, of which climate is a huge part. It is hard to believe there are still climate deniers, although I think (hope) their numbers are decreasing.

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  6. Susan Scott

    So interesting Norah thank you. Dr Lewis and Sir David’s encouragement from their significant others in their early developmental years clearly paid off and a lesson we as parents and educators would do well to note! Thank you for bulleting ways in which we can each play our part in facing climate change.
    International Peace Day tomorrow? I didn’t know – I do know it’s the Equinox – have a lovely weekend. Namaste.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      The equinox! Indeed it is. I also left out that there have been huge climate strikes held around the world. Australia’s was/is held today. My grandchildren were marching with their parents and I know my daughter would have joined in as well. I was there in spirit, spreading the word through this post.
      I wish you a wonderful weekend also.

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  9. thecontentedcrafter

    That is a great interview and article on Readilearn Norah. Love the way that all came together with really clear tips for parents and teachers on how to model for and encourage the little ones to take an interest in ecology and science generally. Sophie’s story is itself illuminating too and she herself is an excellent role model for us all.

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    1. Norah Post author

      I’m pleased you enjoyed Sophie’s story, Pauline. I knew as I listened to her talk that I wanted to share it. I was so pleased when she agreed as there is so much of value in what she has to say. She is an excellent role model.

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