Professor Stephen Heard – Academic Spotlight Interview

Professor Stephen Heard is an evolutionary ecologist and entomologist at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Before joining UNB, he was on the faculty at the University of Iowa. Stephen’s work consists of studies of plants, insects, and the interactions between them. Most of Stephen’s research has to do with plant-insect interactions and with the evolution of new biodiversity.

During his interview, Stephen describes his academic journey as quite linear, as he was a conventional undergraduate student who loved to learn. Being a part of a university, he enjoyed the freedom to explore different areas within his field. This ultimately led him to finding a specialism and he then pursued a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Pennsylvania. This area of expertise allows Stephen to solve the mysteries of nature and collaborate with like-minded people who share his curiosity and drive for discovery, a passion that has guided him throughout his career.

Now, after three decades in academia, Stephen enjoys finding and sharing new knowledge through research and teaching. This is rewarding and at the core of what he does, aligning with the fundamental purposes of universities and academia. Being a part of this and contributing to research while teaching within this field is what he loves most.

Find out more about Stephen by watching his interview below, where he shares research tips, discusses what he loves about his career, and explains how he inspires his students.