You may be aware of a University of Alberta University Relations marketing campaign, including a billboard, which has caused the Faculty of Science concern about the representation of scientific research. What follows is my response to this campaign.
It is unfortunate that the findings of a 2017 peer-reviewed scientific study have been taken out of context with a single statement on a billboard and framed to suggest support for climate change. There are risks associated with taking scientific results out of context, particularly in an age of science skepticism.
Research on climate change, its complexities, and its many ramifications for society and the planet is ongoing in the Faculty of Science. I am deeply proud of our innovative, interdisciplinary, and world-leading research. Scientists in our Faculty advance innovation and discovery every day, and it is important to properly contextualize our research in communication. We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders in the responsible dissemination of science. As the Dean of the Faculty of Science, I will defend the integrity of scientific discovery and discourse in all of its complex forms.
-Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell