Aileen Penner

I get my love of science from my father (pictured above circa 1973), a civil engineer who said things like "the Sydney Opera House was an architect's dream, but an engineer's nightmare." My love of good writing comes from my Scottish mother, who, due to her strict grammar-school education, always had me work hard to get it right.

I am a strong writer, environmental communications specialist and poet. Prior to starting my own freelance and consulting business in 2012, I worked at BC Hydro's Chief Technology Office and provided strategic communications support to the CTO and other senior leaders at BC Hydro. Prior to that I held communication postions at MetroVancouver, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, UBC, and the International Institute for Environment and Development (UK). I have extensive experience in translating complex research and technical concepts into general terms for audiences in government, funding agencies, academia, media and the public. In August, I completed the 2012 Science Communications Program at the Banff Centre.

I am deeply interested in art-science collaborations, and I am currently teaching a course on The Science of Poetry / The Poetry of Science. I deliver workshops on environmental communications and teach writing and eco-poetry courses to small audiences. I have an undergraduate degree in communications (SFU) and a master's degree in environmental studies (York) and specialize in messaging about sustainability, wild salmon, watershed conservation and science and technology communications.

p.s. I'm crafty too - I love everything about the 1920s, and you can check out my work on Etsy at Lawless Lucy.