Stephen Robinson, Assistant Professor of Geology, has explored Alaska,
Canada and China. As he continues his research on the links
between wetlands and climate change in Northern Canada, Robinson
has recently shifted his interest to China. He received a grant from Freeman
Foundation’s Asian Studies Initiative in 2005 and took
two of his students to China. He says, “We looked at public
education, landscape protection, and sustainable development.” He
presented this research at the prestigious Geological Society
of America’s Conference in Salt Lake City and his
paper has also been submitted for publishing. He went back
to China in 2006 and hopes to take
a class of students to South-West China next
May.
Students accompany Robinson on his research travels as he also works
with students on issues relating to the glacial geology of Northern
New York and took them on a glacial geology field trip to south-central
Alaska in 2003 and 2005.
“I get to work with a great group of people not just
in geology department but all across campus. On top of that, I get
to do what I love-passing on my knowledge and hopefully inspiring
others,” he says.
A geologist by profession, Robinson, will also be running St. Lawrence’s London Program
in 2007-08. “That’s something a geologist would not get
to do often in another school. The opportunities at St. Lawrence
for faculty are outstanding in terms of professional development,
travel and many more opportunities to teach (and learn) outside one’s
main area of interest,” he says.
A native of Manchester, England, Robinson grew up in the suburbs of
Toronto. He received his B.S. from the University of Waterloo, M.Sc.
from Queen’s University and Ph.D in physical geography from McGill
University. When asked about his hobbies and interests, Robinson replied, “I
am a voracious reader, mainly historical non-fiction and travel writing.
One of these days, I am going to write something about all of my travels
in the Arctic and through China. And being Canadian, I also love hockey
and the great outdoors.”
