Dr. Alex Bielak
Senior Research Fellow (Freshwater Ecosystems Programme)

Contact: Alex.Bielak [at] unu.edu

In addition to his role as Knowledge Broker for the freshwater programme and lead for Knowledge Management and Mobilization at UNU-INWEH, Alex also served as Senior Advisor to the Chair of UN-Water from 2010-2012.

Alex was Environment Canada’s first-ever Director, Science and Technology Liaison with a mission of communicating science knowledge to targeted audiences and linking science with policy development. Prior to that Alex spent over a year as A/Director General, S&T Strategies Directorate, where he set up the Directorate and led the team developing EC's new Science Plan. A NATO Scholar, he previously held senior positions with Canada’s National Water Research Institute, NGOs, and other federal and provincial government departments.

Alex is a dynamic and widely published speaker and an alumnus of the Banff Centre’s inaugural Science Communications Residency. His expertise is sought in Canada and internationally as an authority on science communications, and knowledge translation and brokering.

Alex holds a PhD degree in Freshwater Biology from the University of Waterloo and has served on numerous Boards and Committees. He was recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Multi-Media at McMaster University. This will facilitate Alex participating in the collaborative graduate diploma program,Water Without Borders, between UNU-INWEH and McMaster, as well as participating in the supervision of graduate students.  He was honoured for his professional and volunteer activities with a University of Waterloo Science Faculty “Distinguished Alumni Award” on the occasion of UW’s 50th Anniversary, and in July 2011 was recognized for his contributions to the Canadian Rivers Institute by being inducted as its first Honorary Member.

For selected recent key publications please see: http://tinyurl.com/alexbielak