What a long, strange trip it's been

Abstract

This article recounts my career path, from academic ornithologist to applied quantitative ecologist, to research and science advisor within the Canadian federal Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans. It highlights factors that prompted abrupt changes in career direction and, at each stage in progression of my career, how the diversity of experiences prior to each step were integrated in the approach to the tasks of my new position. Particular attention placed on the latter part of my career, which focused in the quality assurance, and then application, of aggregated knowledge to policy questions, particularly at the interface of the sustainable use of marine resources and conservation of biodiversity, at national and international levels. The importance of bright, supportive colleagues, and the willingness to protect science integrity from the partisan pressures of either policy makers or ardent advocates, was crucial to success in that role.