Sharon Rudnitski
ACTive.Voice
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Communicating Science
in the Federal Government of Canada.
Activities appear in chronological order.
Copy Editor
Research Journals, National Research Council
Five years
• Edited Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (approx. 600 pp./month), for scientific nomenclature and conventions, presentation, and accuracy
Section Head
Air Pollution Control Directorate, Environment Canada
One year
• Edited and published 40 technical reports in engineering and chemistry (30,000 copies annually)
Scientific Editor
Scientific Editing Section, Research Program Service, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada
Ten years
• Edited and produced hundreds of brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and reports on agriculture for scientific, technical, and general audiences in entomology, chemistry, earth sciences, genetics, human and animal nutrition, biology, biochemistry, agrology, and engineering
• Edited and managed the publication of Manual of Nearctic Diptera (three volumes, 1,200 pp.), a seminal work on flies that won the Thomas Say Award for Entomology and Best in Show from the Society for Technical Communication
• Coordinated the production annually of the Research Branch Report (400 pp.), reducing production by 75% and turnaround time by 50%, and ultimately putting it on-line
• Edited and adapted Poisonous Mushrooms of Canada (1,000 pp.) for both scientific and general audiences, winning an award from the Association of Federal Government Communicators
• Served as president of the Eastern Ontario Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication
• Won national and international awards for eight other departmental publications
Head
Scientific Editing Section, Research Program Service
Research Branch, Agriculture Canada
Three years
• Managed the publishing program for 50 research establishments across Canada
• Coordinated the production annually of about 100 textbooks, extension publications, promotional brochures, and technical reports on agricultural science in English and French
• Reduced average turnaround time by half, by formalizing production processes and using new technology
Director
Strategic Promotion
Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Ten years
• Developed promotion strategies that increased the public’s awareness of the value of science
• Directed the development and promotion of both traditional and electronic science information
• Developed links with communications programs in other science departments
• Developed new internal organizational procedures and new modes of program delivery
• Redesigned Directory of Research to showcase the new national science program at AAFC. Results: Internet version made compliant with standards; tools modernized; APEX award won for hard-copy promotional summary
• Managed the redesign of the science pages on AAFC’s website
• Managed resources of the Strategic Promotion Team (seven people), including signing authority for $200,000 budget
• Chaired interdepartmental science communications working group. Results: Communications Course for Scientists developed; 13 original episodes developed for French television; Apex Award 2001 won for Earthtones, the Book
Manager
Science Communications, Operations
Communications Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
One year
• Finalized a 5-year strategy for the interdepartmental science communications working group. Results: 1-h TV documentary with the Discovery channel, First Scientists, produced; 10 Greenspeak segments broadcast on Green channel; third annual 5NR Science Awards to Leaders in Sustainable Development run; poster produced promoting teachers’ guides for 23 Earthtones vignettes shown on Discovery; 46 Earthtones vignettes posted on Internet
Education
Honors Bachelor of Science
• University of Toronto: biochemistry, physical chemistry, nutrition, food science, physics, physiology, botany, zoology
• Thesis: Gas–liquid chromatographic analysis as a new method for determining the rancidity of fats and oils
Contact ACTive.Voice at rudnitski@cyberus.ca