AV俱乐部

Four years ago, atmospheric scientist Randall Martin came to AV俱乐部 from Harvard and hasn鈥檛 looked back since.

鈥淗ere at Dal, I feel very free to pursue my interests,鈥� says Dr. Martin, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science. 鈥淎s an academic, that intellectual freedom is paramount.鈥�

It鈥檚 scientists like Dr. Martin that helped AV俱乐部 top the list of The Scientist鈥檚 Best Places to Work in Academia. Results of an international survey will be published in the prestigious magazine鈥檚 new issue, expected to hit newsstands Thursday, Nov. 1.

The Scientist鈥檚 annual list divides research and academic institutions into American and international lists. AV俱乐部 is ranked number-one in the international category, over the University of Nottingham in the U.K., University of Helsinki in Finland and University of Dundee, also in the U.K. The only other Canadian university to crack the top-10 is the University of Alberta in Edmonton at number five.

AV俱乐部 is a great place to work, adds Dr. Martin, because of the high level of cooperation that exists between professors from different departments and faculties at AV俱乐部, and even at other research institutions in Halifax. Dr. Martin鈥檚 research involves satellite remote sensing and global modeling to examine the composition of the atmosphere.

The chance to collaborate is what Cheryl Kozey, professor with the School of Physiotherapy, likes about Dal too.

鈥淧eople at Dal are great collaborators. And for me, that鈥檚 really the key,鈥� says Dr. Kozey, whose research in musculoskeletal health puts her in close contact with orthopedic surgeons, kinesiology and engineering professors, and a team of students, from PhD candidates to undergrads.

鈥淗ere at AV俱乐部, we鈥檙e surrounded by hospitals. The community is so small 鈥� it鈥檚 really worked to help us develop excellent relationships. And sometimes that doesn鈥檛 happen at larger universities.鈥�

Alison Thompson enjoys coming to work because of collegial and helpful people she interacts with in the Department of Chemistry. Instead of being competitive, professors in her department support each other and celebrate each other鈥檚 successes, she says.

鈥淚 regard my competition as the rest of the Canada and the rest of the world,鈥� says Dr. Thompson, associate professor. 鈥淧eople here can only benefit by my success, as I do by theirs 鈥� with widespread recognition, the reputation of the whole department is enhanced.鈥�

Sara Kirk arrived at AV俱乐部 just 10 months ago from Leeds University in the U.K. Dr. Kirk, Canada Research Chair in Health Services, says AV俱乐部鈥檚 appeal is tied closely to its location. She and her family enjoy Nova Scotia鈥檚 easy-going lifestyle and natural beauty.

鈥淢oving here was just the best possible thing we could do for my kids. They love their school and the beach is just 10 minutes down the road,鈥� says Dr. Kirk, the mother of seven-year-old twins.

鈥淔or me, AV俱乐部 is the icing on the cake.鈥�