Dr. Alex Bielak

Dr. Alex Bielak is a member of the faculty at the United Nations University and a Senior Research Fellow and Knowledge Broker in the freshwater programme. He also leads a new Knowledge Management and Mobilization (K*) initiative for the Institute and conceived and Chaired the Global K* 2012 Conference. Alex also served as Senior Advisor to the Chair of UN-Water from 2010-2012.

Prior to that Alex was Environment Canada’s first-ever Director, Science and Technology Liaison with a mission of communicating science knowledge to targeted audiences and linking science with policy development. Previously he spent over a year as A/Director General, S&T Strategies Directorate, where he set up the Directorate and led the team developing EC’s new Science Plan. A NATO Scholar, he has also held senior positions with Canada’s National Water Research Institute, NGOs, and other federal and provincial government departments, including as Director of Recreational Fisheries for New Brunswick.

This “salmon biologist gone wrong” has served on numerous Boards and Committees, including the Board of the Canadian Rivers Institute and International Joint Commission’s Council of Great Lakes Research Managers.  He is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Multi-Media at McMaster University and also serves on the National Resource Board of Trout Unlimited Canada.

Recognition of his professional and volunteer activities includes a UW Science Faculty “Distinguished Alumni Award” on the occasion of UW’s 50th Anniversary. In July 2011 was recognized for his contributions to the Canadian Rivers Institute by being inducted as its first Honorary Member.