Ian Mann inducted into the Royal Society of Canada

Professor Ian Mann

Space weather research expert Ian Mann in the Department of was one of five University of Alberta researchers inducted into the Royal Society of Canada this year, joining the country’s oldest and most prestigious scholarly institute.

“I was delighted and honoured in equal measure to be recognized,” says Mann. “It is extremely humbling to think that I will be joining the ranks of many other recognized Canadian scientists as a member of the academy.”

Mann is chairman of the expert group on space weather of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. His research has delivered transformative understanding of extreme space radiation and geospace dynamics. He also helps promote the translation of research to policy, steering international efforts to mitigate the adverse technological impacts of extreme space weather.

“The sun is responsible for providing the energy for life on our planet,” Mann says. “However, the sun is also strongly coupled to the geospace environment—the region of outer space near Earth.” The impacts of this solar-terrestrial coupling in the form of space weather range from the generation of the beautiful dancing northern and southern lights to generating harsh radiation environments in space.

“At the University of Alberta we are actively developing training which will allow our students—and we hope ultimately the economy in the province of Alberta—to benefit from expansion and diversification into the ever-expanding commercial space sector,” says Mann. “It is truly an incredible honour to be selected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and receive recognition for work in this important field.”