2010 Honorary Member
Bob McDonald is one of Canada's best-known science journalists. He has been communicating science internationally through television, radio, print and live presentations for more than 30 years. He is the host of CBC Radio’s award-winning science programQuirks and Quarks. He is also a regular science commentator on the CBC News Network, science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National and the award-winning host and writer of the children’s series Heads Up! Bob has also hosted the television mini-series The Greatest Canadian Invention and the seven-part series Water Under Fire. As a print journalist, McDonald has written three science books and contributed to numerous textbooks, newspapers and magazines, including The Globe and Mail, Owl Magazine and many others. His latest book is Measuring the Earth With a Stick, a collection of essays reflecting on his many years as a science journalist. He wrote the introduction to The Quirks & Quarks Question Book and the Guide to Space: 42 Questions (and Answers) About Life, the Universe and Everything. Beyond his work in media, Bob serves on several boards and is chairman of Geospace, a new environmental center and planetarium in Toronto. McDonald has been honored for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of science in Canada as the recipient of the Michael Smith Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Sir Sanford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute and the McNeil Medal from The Royal Society of Canada. He also received a 2008 Gemini Award for Best Host in a Pre-School, Children's or Youth Program or Series. He has received six honorary degrees, from the University of Guelph, Carleton University, Laurentian University, McMaster University, University of Calgary and University of Winnipeg.