TED2018
Kirsty Duncan: Scientists must be free to learn, to speak and to challenge
克里斯蒂 · 邓肯: 科学家必须能够自由地学习、发表言论和迎接挑战
Filmed:
Readability: 4.6
1,281,799 views
“不要把科学这样基础的、珍贵的东西搞得一团糟”，加拿大首位科学部部长克里斯蒂 · 邓肯这样说道。在这个关于“科学的使命是超越极限”的极具感染力、鼓舞人心的演讲中，她举例说明了科研人员应当毫无约束地揭露令人不快的真相，并且挑战主流见解——当我们发现科学被扼杀或是镇压的时候，我们都有义务为此发声。
Kirsty Duncan - Politician, scientist
Kirsty Duncan works for all Canadians to nurture science in Canada and encourages people of all ages to have inquisitive minds. Full bio
Kirsty Duncan works for all Canadians to nurture science in Canada and encourages people of all ages to have inquisitive minds. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
让我来解释一下什么是岩石鼻涕。
00:12
Let me tell you about rock snot.
0
920
3720
00:19
Since 1992, Dr. Max Bothwell,
1
7080
3536
自1992年以来，麦克斯 · 博斯维尔
博士（Dr. Max Bothwell），
博士（Dr. Max Bothwell），
一位加拿大的科学家，
00:22
a Government of Canada scientist,
2
10640
3016
00:25
has been studying a type of algae
that grows on rocks.
that grows on rocks.
3
13680
4936
一直在研究一种
生长于岩石上的藻类。
生长于岩石上的藻类。
00:30
Now, the very unscientific term
for that algae is rock snot,
for that algae is rock snot,
4
18640
6576
这种藻类俗称岩石鼻涕，
因为正如你所想的那样，
00:37
because as you can imagine,
5
25240
2416
00:39
it looks a lot like snot.
6
27680
2680
它看起来非常像鼻涕。
00:43
But scientists also call it
Didymosphenia geminata
Didymosphenia geminata
7
31080
5656
但科学家也称之为双生双楔藻。
00:48
and for decades, this algae
has been sliming up riverbeds
has been sliming up riverbeds
8
36760
4336
数十年来，该藻类不断使全世界的河床
00:53
around the world.
9
41120
2136
变得越来越薄。
00:55
The problem with this algae
10
43280
2536
这一藻类带来的问题是，
00:57
is that it is a threat to salmon, to trout
11
45840
3896
它会对三文鱼、鳟鱼造成威胁，
01:01
and the river ecosystems it invades.
12
49760
3656
甚至破坏河流的生态系统。
01:05
Now, it turns out Canada's Dr. Bothwell
13
53440
3216
不得不承认，加拿大的博斯维尔博士，
01:08
is actually a world expert in the field,
14
56680
4176
的确是这方面的专家，
01:12
so it was no surprise in 2014
15
60880
4176
所以在2014年，
01:17
when a reporter contacted Dr. Bothwell
16
65080
3456
记者联系博斯维尔博士
询问该藻类的信息，
询问该藻类的信息，
01:20
for a story on the algae.
17
68560
2520
就非常合理了。
01:23
The problem was, Dr. Bothwell
wasn't allowed to speak to the reporter,
wasn't allowed to speak to the reporter,
18
71880
6656
不过博斯维尔博士并不能
给记者透露任何消息。
给记者透露任何消息。
01:30
because the government of the day
wouldn't let him.
wouldn't let him.
19
78560
4736
原因是当权政府不允许他这样做。
01:35
110 pages of emails
20
83320
3416
110页的电子邮件
01:38
and 16 government communication experts
21
86760
3936
以及16位政府交际专家
01:42
stood in Dr. Bothwell's way.
22
90720
3160
都在阻止博斯维尔博士。
01:46
Why couldn't Dr. Bothwell speak?
23
94800
3256
为什么博斯维尔博士不能谈论它呢？
01:50
Well, we'll never know for sure,
24
98080
2816
我们也许无从得知，
01:52
but Dr. Bothwell's research did suggest
25
100920
3736
但博斯维尔博士的研究确实表明
01:56
that climate change
may have been responsible
may have been responsible
26
104680
3856
气候变化也许是导致
02:00
for the aggressive algae blooms.
27
108560
2520
岩石鼻涕爆发式增长的原因。
02:03
But who the heck would want to stifle
climate change information, right?
climate change information, right?
28
111920
7000
但到底是谁想切断气候变化
相关消息的外泄渠道呢？
相关消息的外泄渠道呢？
02:12
Yes, you can laugh.
29
120240
1816
是的，你可以笑。
02:14
It's a joke,
30
122080
1896
这是个玩笑，
02:16
because it is laughable.
31
124000
1840
因为的确可笑。
02:19
We know that climate change
is suppressed for all sorts of reasons.
is suppressed for all sorts of reasons.
32
127760
5416
我们知道，不论出于什么原因，
气候变化都应得到控制。
气候变化都应得到控制。
02:25
I saw it firsthand
when I was a university professor.
when I was a university professor.
33
133200
4256
以前在大学任教的时候，曾亲身参与其中。
02:29
We see it when countries pull out
of international climate agreements
of international climate agreements
34
137480
5536
我们见证了许多国家共同
签署的国际气候协议，
签署的国际气候协议，
02:35
like the Kyoto Protocol
and the Paris Accord,
and the Paris Accord,
35
143040
4136
如京都议定书、巴黎协定，
02:39
and we see it when industry fails
to meet its emissions reduction targets.
to meet its emissions reduction targets.
36
147200
5200
我们同时也发现，公司企业并没有
完成自身节能减排的目标。
完成自身节能减排的目标。
02:45
But it's not just climate change
information that's being stifled.
information that's being stifled.
37
153400
5296
但并不只是气候变化的信息被压下来。
02:50
So many other scientific issues
are obscured by alternate facts,
are obscured by alternate facts,
38
158720
6656
太多其他的科学问题也被不同的说法，
02:57
fake news and other forms of suppression.
39
165400
4776
假新闻和其他形式的压制所掩盖。
03:02
We've seen it in the United Kingdom,
40
170200
2216
英国出现过这样的情况，
俄罗斯也是，
03:04
we've seen it in Russia,
41
172440
1936
03:06
we've seen it in the United States
42
174400
2616
还有美国。
03:09
and, until 2015,
43
177040
2736
直到2015年，
03:11
right here in Canada.
44
179800
2680
在加拿大，就在这里，也出现了。
03:15
In our modern technological age,
45
183840
2816
在这个现代化的技术时代，
03:18
when our very survival
depends on discovery,
depends on discovery,
46
186680
4176
我们的生存依赖探索，
03:22
innovation and science,
47
190880
2776
创新和科学。
03:25
it is critical, absolutely critical,
48
193680
4136
毫无疑问，我们的科学家可以
03:29
that our scientists are free
to undertake their work,
to undertake their work,
49
197840
4016
毫无阻碍的进行工作，
03:33
free to collaborate with other scientists,
50
201880
3296
和其他科学家合作，
03:37
free to speak to the media
51
205200
2576
自由地和媒体交流，
03:39
and free to speak to the public.
52
207800
3016
与公众对话，这一点至关重要。
03:42
Because after all,
53
210840
1776
因为毕竟，
03:44
science is humanity's best effort
at uncovering the truth
at uncovering the truth
54
212640
6056
科学是人类揭开与我们的世界，
03:50
about our world,
55
218720
1536
我们的存在有关的
03:52
about our very existence.
56
220280
2736
真相的最佳手段。
03:55
Every new fact that is uncovered
57
223040
2656
每个新发现的真相
03:57
adds to the growing body
of our collective knowledge.
of our collective knowledge.
58
225720
5816
都使得我们的集体知识愈发丰富。
04:03
Scientists must be free to explore
59
231560
3736
科学家必须不受约束地探索
04:07
unconventional or controversial topics.
60
235320
4376
非传统或是有争议的主题。
04:11
They must be free to challenge
the thinking of the day
the thinking of the day
61
239720
3656
他们必须自由地挑战主流思想，
同时还必须不受束缚地
04:15
and they must be free
62
243400
1296
04:16
to present uncomfortable
or inconvenient truths,
or inconvenient truths,
63
244720
6360
表达令人不快或是难以面对的真相，
04:24
because that's how scientists
push boundaries
push boundaries
64
252400
2816
因为这就是科学如何拓宽认知界限的，
04:27
and pushing boundaries is, after all,
what science is all about.
what science is all about.
65
255240
5015
毕竟，不断超越就是科学的全部。
04:32
And here's another point:
66
260279
2097
另一点是：
04:34
scientists must be free to fail,
67
262400
4456
科学家必须坦然接受失败，
04:38
because even a failed hypothesis
teaches us something.
teaches us something.
68
266880
4856
因为即使不成立的假设
也会使我们从中获益。
也会使我们从中获益。
04:43
And the best way I can explain that
is through one of my own adventures.
is through one of my own adventures.
69
271760
5176
对此，我的一次个人经历
可以做出最好的解释。
可以做出最好的解释。
04:48
But first I've got
to take you back in time.
to take you back in time.
70
276960
2960
但首先，我得带大家回到过去。
04:53
It's the early 1900s
71
281000
2456
20世纪初，
04:55
and Claire and Vera
are roommates in southern Ontario.
are roommates in southern Ontario.
72
283480
4000
住在安大略省南部的
克莱尔和薇拉是舍友。
克莱尔和薇拉是舍友。
05:00
One evening during the height
of the Spanish flu pandemic,
of the Spanish flu pandemic,
73
288520
4256
在西班牙大流感高峰期的一天晚上，
05:04
the two attend a lecture together.
74
292800
2440
这两个女孩儿一起去上课。
05:08
The end of the evening,
they head for home and for bed.
they head for home and for bed.
75
296280
4056
下课后，她们回家，然后上床睡觉。
05:12
In the morning, Claire calls up to Vera
76
300360
3216
第二天早上，克莱尔给薇拉打电话，
05:15
and says she's going out to breakfast.
77
303600
2440
说她要出去吃早餐。
05:19
When she returns a short while later,
78
307080
3256
当她不久后回来，
05:22
Vera wasn't up.
79
310360
1976
薇拉还没起床。
05:24
She pulls back the covers
80
312360
3016
她把被子拉起来，
05:27
and makes the gruesome discovery.
81
315400
2600
发现了一件可怕的事情。
05:30
Vera was dead.
82
318720
2120
薇拉死了。
05:34
When it comes to Spanish flu,
83
322240
2336
提及西班牙流感，
05:36
those stories are common,
84
324600
2216
这种一夜致命的情况
非常普遍。
05:38
of lightning speed deaths.
85
326840
3536
当我第一次听说这些令人震惊的事情，
05:42
Well, I was a professor in my mid-20s
86
330400
3096
还是一名20多岁的教授，
05:45
when I first heard those shocking facts
87
333520
3576
05:49
and the scientist in me
wanted to know why and how.
wanted to know why and how.
88
337120
4400
我体内的“科学家”在觉醒，想知道
它为什么会发生，以及是怎样发生的。
它为什么会发生，以及是怎样发生的。
05:55
My curiosity would lead me
to a frozen land
to a frozen land
89
343160
4096
好奇心驱使我去往一个冰冻之地，
05:59
and to lead an expedition
90
347280
2616
同时也促成了另一段征程，
06:01
to uncover the cause
of the 1918 Spanish flu.
of the 1918 Spanish flu.
91
349920
4176
去弄清楚1918年西班牙流感的成因。
06:06
I wanted to test our current drugs against
one of history's deadliest diseases.
one of history's deadliest diseases.
92
354120
6256
我想要检验当今的药物能否
对抗历史上最致命的疾病之一。
对抗历史上最致命的疾病之一。
06:12
I hoped we could make a flu vaccine
93
360400
2776
我希望我们可以培育出流感疫苗，
06:15
that would be effective against the virus
94
363200
3256
从而有效应对病毒
06:18
and mutation of it,
95
366480
1656
和基因突变，
06:20
should it ever return.
96
368160
2240
以及病情是否会反复。
06:24
And so I led a team, a research team,
97
372280
4736
于是我带领了一个17人的
06:29
of 17 men
98
377040
2536
研究小组，
06:31
from Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom
99
379600
3936
他们当中有加拿大人、挪威人、英国人、
06:35
and the United States
100
383560
1856
和美国人，
还有人来自北冰洋的斯瓦尔巴群岛。
06:37
to the Svalbard Islands
in the Arctic Ocean.
in the Arctic Ocean.
101
385440
4216
06:41
These islands are between
Norway and the North Pole.
Norway and the North Pole.
102
389680
4336
斯瓦尔巴群岛位于挪威和北极之间。
06:46
We exhumed six bodies
103
394040
2200
我们挖掘出了六具尸体，
06:49
who had died of Spanish flu
and were buried in the permafrost
and were buried in the permafrost
104
397280
4176
他们皆死于西班牙流感，
并被长埋于此。
并被长埋于此。
06:53
and we hoped the frozen ground
would preserve the body and the virus.
would preserve the body and the virus.
105
401480
5240
我们希望冰封的土地
可以同时保存尸体和病毒。
可以同时保存尸体和病毒。
06:59
Now, I know what you are all waiting for,
106
407600
2576
我知道你们在期待什么，
07:02
that big scientific payoff.
107
410200
3120
一个重大的科研成果。
07:06
But my science story doesn't have
that spectacular Hollywood ending.
that spectacular Hollywood ending.
108
414240
5560
但我的科学故事并没有一个
宏大的好莱坞式的结局。
宏大的好莱坞式的结局。
07:12
Most don't.
109
420800
1736
大多数都没有。
07:14
Truth is, we didn't find the virus,
110
422560
3816
事实是，我们并没有找到病毒。
07:18
but we did develop new techniques
111
426400
3176
但我们的确发展了新技术，
07:21
to safely exhume bodies
112
429600
2616
能够安全挖掘
07:24
that might contain virus.
113
432240
2080
可能携带病毒的尸体。
07:26
We did develop new techniques
114
434920
2696
我们也开发了新技术，
07:29
to safely remove tissue
115
437640
2576
安全移除可能携带病毒的
07:32
that might contain virus.
116
440240
3016
人体组织。
07:35
And we developed new safety protocols
117
443280
3256
此外，我们还建立了新的安全协议
07:38
to protect our research team
and the nearby community.
and the nearby community.
118
446560
5656
以保护我们的研究小组和附近的社区。
07:44
We made important contributions to science
119
452240
3496
我们为科学做出了重要的贡献，
07:47
even though the contributions we made
120
455760
3496
尽管这些成就
并不是原先设想的那样。
07:51
were not the ones originally intended.
121
459280
3120
07:55
In science, attempts fail,
122
463280
3136
在科学里，努力以失败收场，
07:58
results prove inconclusive
123
466440
2616
结果也往往不确定，
08:01
and theories don't pan out.
124
469080
2440
因此理论也不成功。
08:04
In science,
125
472360
1360
在科学里，
08:07
research builds upon the work
and knowledge of others,
and knowledge of others,
126
475320
4176
研究依赖于其他人的努力和知识，
08:11
or by seeing further,
127
479520
1536
或是目光长远，
08:13
by standing on the shoulders of giants,
128
481080
3016
站在巨人的肩膀上，
08:16
to paraphrase Newton.
129
484120
2696
这句话是牛顿的名言。
08:18
The point is, scientists must be free
130
486840
3616
问题在于，科学家必须可以自由的
08:22
to choose what they want to explore,
131
490480
4016
选择他们进行研究探索的内容，
08:26
what they are passionate about
132
494520
2216
他们的兴趣所在，
08:28
and they must be free
to report their findings.
to report their findings.
133
496760
3240
以及随心所欲发表研究结果。
08:33
You heard me say
134
501200
1256
你们也听到我说的了，
08:34
that respect for science
started to improve in Canada in 2015.
started to improve in Canada in 2015.
135
502480
6216
在2015年，加拿大对于科学的尊重开始改善。
08:40
How did we get here?
136
508720
2016
我们是怎么做到的？
08:42
What lessons might we have to share?
137
510760
3000
我们可以分享什么经验？
08:46
Well, it actually goes back
to my time as a professor.
to my time as a professor.
138
514520
4456
事实上，这得回到我还是教授的时候。
08:51
I watched while agencies, governments
and industries around the world
and industries around the world
139
519000
5576
我注意到，全球的组织、政府以及工业
08:56
suppressed information on climate change.
140
524600
4536
在气候变化这一问题上都有所隐瞒。
09:01
It infuriated me.
141
529160
2256
这让我非常愤怒。
09:03
It kept me up at night.
142
531440
2256
夜不能寐。
09:05
How could politicians
twist scientific fact for partisan gain?
twist scientific fact for partisan gain?
143
533720
6280
政客怎么可以为了党派利益扭曲科学事实？
09:13
So I did what anyone
appalled by politics would do:
appalled by politics would do:
144
541560
4656
所以我做了件事，一件任何
对政治感到震惊的人都会做的事：
对政治感到震惊的人都会做的事：
09:18
I ran for office, and I won.
145
546240
3296
我参加了竞选，然后我成功了。
09:21
(Applause)
146
549560
6256
（鼓掌）
我原想可以利用我的新平台
09:27
I thought I would use my new platform
147
555840
3536
来讲述科学的重要性。
09:31
to talk about the importance of science.
148
559400
3736
09:35
It quickly became a fight
for the freedom of science.
for the freedom of science.
149
563160
5336
它很快就变成了为科学的自由而战。
09:40
After all, I was a scientist,
I came from the world under attack,
I came from the world under attack,
150
568520
5256
我终究是一位科学家，全球正在遭受攻击，
09:45
and I had personally felt the outrage.
151
573800
2920
我也感受到了这种愤怒。
09:50
I could be a voice
for those who were being silenced.
for those who were being silenced.
152
578800
4856
我可以为那些保持沉默的人发声。
09:55
But I quickly learned
that scientists were nervous,
that scientists were nervous,
153
583680
4376
但我很快明白，科学家们都小心翼翼，
10:00
even afraid to talk to me.
154
588080
2736
甚至不敢和我说话。
10:02
One government scientist,
a friend of mine,
a friend of mine,
155
590840
2776
我的一个朋友在政府从事科研工作，
10:05
we'll call him McPherson,
156
593640
1560
我们叫他麦克弗森，
10:08
was concerned about the impact
157
596920
2976
政府政策对他的研究产生了一定影响，
10:11
government policies
were having on his research
were having on his research
158
599920
4216
如今加拿大科学的状态正在恶化，
10:16
and the state of science
deteriorating in Canada.
deteriorating in Canada.
159
604160
4456
他对此非常担心。
10:20
He was so concerned, he wrote to me
160
608640
3176
他在忧虑之中写信给我，
10:23
from his wife's email account
161
611840
2976
用了他妻子的邮箱账号，
10:26
because he was afraid
a phone call could be traced.
a phone call could be traced.
162
614840
3616
因为他担心打电话可能会被追踪。
10:30
He wanted me to phone
his wife's cell phone
his wife's cell phone
163
618480
4296
他想让我打给他妻子的手机，
10:34
so that call couldn't be traced.
164
622800
3056
这样就不会被查到。
10:37
I only wish I were kidding.
165
625880
2040
我真希望我是在开玩笑。
10:41
It quickly brought what was happening
in Canada into sharp focus for me.
in Canada into sharp focus for me.
166
629200
6136
很快，加拿大发生的一切
让我成为了焦点。
让我成为了焦点。
10:47
How could my friend of 20 years
be that afraid to talk to me?
be that afraid to talk to me?
167
635360
5200
和我有20年交情的朋友
为何惧怕和我说话？
为何惧怕和我说话？
10:53
So I did what I could at the time.
168
641360
2656
所以我做了当时我所能做的。
10:56
I listened and I shared what I learned
169
644040
3960
我仔细聆听，并把我所学的分享给
11:01
with my friend in Parliament,
170
649720
2536
我在议会的朋友，
11:04
a man who was interested
in all things environment, science,
in all things environment, science,
171
652280
3936
他对环境、科学、技术、创新的
11:08
technology, innovation.
172
656240
2600
一切都感兴趣。
11:12
And then the 2015 election rolled around
173
660120
4056
随后2015年大选到来，
我们的政党赢了。
11:16
and our party won.
174
664200
3176
11:19
And we formed government.
175
667400
2176
我们组建了政府。
11:21
And that friend of mine
176
669600
1720
我的那个朋友
11:25
is now the Prime Minister
of Canada, Justin Trudeau.
of Canada, Justin Trudeau.
177
673120
3696
现在是加拿大的总理贾斯汀 · 特鲁多。
11:28
(Applause)
178
676840
5616
（鼓掌）
11:34
And he asked if I would serve
as his Minister of Science.
as his Minister of Science.
179
682480
4456
他问我是否愿意担任科技部部长。
11:38
Together, with the rest of the government,
180
686960
2816
同时，和政府其他部门一起，
11:41
we are working hard to restore
science to its rightful place.
science to its rightful place.
181
689800
6056
我们努力试图重树科学的传统地位。
11:47
I will never forget that day
in December 2015
in December 2015
182
695880
5416
我永远都不会忘记2015年12月的那一天，
11:53
when I proudly stood in Parliament
183
701320
3016
当我自豪地站在议会前
11:56
and proclaimed,
184
704360
1336
宣布，
11:57
"The war on science is now over."
185
705720
3880
“科学的战争结束了。”
12:02
(Applause)
186
710720
5576
（鼓掌）
12:08
And I have worked hard
to back up those words with actions.
to back up those words with actions.
187
716320
4256
我努力工作，尽量做到知行合一。
12:12
We've had many successes.
188
720600
2456
我们已经取得了很多成就，
12:15
There's still more work to do,
189
723080
2120
但仍然任重道远，
12:18
because we're building this culture shift.
190
726640
2456
因为我们正在进行文化的转变。
但是我们希望我们的科学家
能够和媒体、公众对话。
能够和媒体、公众对话。
12:21
But we want our government scientists
to talk to the media, talk to the public.
to talk to the media, talk to the public.
191
729120
5936
12:27
It'll take time, but we are committed.
192
735080
3456
这需要时间，但我们对此坚定不移。
12:30
After all, Canada is seen
as a beacon for science internationally.
as a beacon for science internationally.
193
738560
6376
毕竟，加拿大在国际上被视为科学的标杆。
12:36
And we want to send a message
194
744960
2320
我们想传达一个信息，
12:40
that you do not mess
with something so fundamental,
with something so fundamental,
195
748560
4256
不要把科学这样基础的、珍贵的东西
12:44
so precious, as science.
196
752840
2800
搞得一团糟。
12:49
So, for Dr. Bothwell, for Claire and Vera,
197
757680
5016
因此，为了博斯维尔博士、克莱尔、薇拉、
12:54
for McPherson and all those other voices,
198
762720
3576
麦克弗森和其他的很多人，
12:58
if you see that science is being stifled,
suppressed or attacked,
suppressed or attacked,
199
766320
5816
如果你发现科学正在
被扼杀、镇压或是攻击，
被扼杀、镇压或是攻击，
13:04
speak up.
200
772160
1696
请大声说出来。
13:05
If you see that scientists
are being silenced, speak up.
are being silenced, speak up.
201
773880
5656
如果你发现科学家沉默不语，请说出来。
13:11
We must hold our leaders to account.
202
779560
3816
我们必须让领导人
对自己的行为做出解释。
对自己的行为做出解释。
13:15
Whether that is
by exercising our right to vote,
by exercising our right to vote,
203
783400
3856
无论是行使我们的选举权，
13:19
whether it is by penning
an op-ed in a newspaper
an op-ed in a newspaper
204
787280
4336
还是写报纸专栏，
13:23
or by starting a conversation
on social media,
on social media,
205
791640
4856
或是与媒体对话，
13:28
it is our collective voice
that will ensure the freedom of science.
that will ensure the freedom of science.
206
796520
5976
这是我们集体的声音，
以确保科学的自由。
以确保科学的自由。
13:34
And after all, science is for everyone,
207
802520
4616
毕竟，科学是每一个人的，
13:39
and it will lead to a better,
brighter, bolder future for us all.
brighter, bolder future for us all.
208
807160
6736
它会带给我们一个更美好的、
光明的、大胆的未来。
光明的、大胆的未来。
13:45
Thank you.
209
813920
1216
谢谢。
13:47
(Applause)
210
815160
4640
（鼓掌）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kirsty Duncan - Politician, scientistKirsty Duncan works for all Canadians to nurture science in Canada and encourages people of all ages to have inquisitive minds.
Why you should listen
Kirsty Duncan is the Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities for the Government of Canada. As a member of Parliament, she has been the voice on Parliament Hill for the citizens of Etobicoke-North since 2008. Duncan has also been a driving force for putting science front and center in the federal government's agenda. She is committed to strengthening science and evidence-based decision making and fostering a culture of curiosity in Canada. And she is taking action to improve equity, diversity and youth participation in Canada’s research community.
Duncan is a medical geographer who led an expedition to remote Svalbard, Norway, to search for the cause of the Spanish Flu, the deadliest of flu pandemics, which has killed upwards of 50 million people worldwide. She is internationally recognized as a leading expert in pandemic influenza and environmental change and its impact on human health. As a fierce defender of the environment, Duncan contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an organization which, jointly with Al Gore, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Prior to entering politics in 2008, Duncan was an associate professor at the University of Toronto and the University of Windsor.
Kirsty Duncan | Speaker | TED.com