WWEST Associate Chair Alison Anderson hosts this episode with Dr. Katie Aitken and speaks to her about bird watching, practicing science in the Yukon, and even what birds can teach us about climate change.

This episode is the first in a series by WWEST's Associate Chair at Yukon College in Whitehorse, YT. This series gives listeners a glimpse of the lively STEM community in the Great White North. Make sure to follow the Yukon Associate Chair's social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Guest: Katie Aitken, PhD

Dr. Katie Aitken is an instructor in the School of Science at Yukon College in Whitehorse, Yukon, and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta. She coordinates the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences program that Yukon College offers in partnership with University of Alberta. She teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in biology, experimental design, and science communication. Her research focuses on community and population ecology of birds. She completed her masters and doctoral degrees at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Forestry. Before starting at Yukon College, she worked as a forest bird biologist with Canadian Wildlife Service in Whitehorse, Yukon. 

For a full transcription of this episode, click here.

Relevant Links:

• Cavity-Nesting birds
• Dr. Kathy Martin at University of British Columbia
• Jane Goodall
• Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences at Yukon College
  
• Yukon Bird Club

Hosted by: Alison Anderson (@AlisonVAnderson)
Theme Music: “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes
Produced by: Vanessa Reich-Shackelford