Simon Peacock Reappointed to Second Term as Dean of Science



Simon Peacock, recruited to UBC in 2006 from Arizona State University, has been appointed to a second six-year term as Dean of Science. His second term will run July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2018.

"Under Dean Peacock's leadership the Faculty has made outstanding achievements across undergraduate education, research infrastructure development and support, and community engagement," says David Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic, in making the announcement. 

"I'm sure the next few years will see continuation of that momentum, and I look forward to working with Dean Peacock during his second term."

Peacock has overseen tremendous growth and transformation at UBC Science over the past six years, including building capacity to deliver enriched educational opportunities for undergraduate Science students, and improving the Faculty’s approach to student learning in more than 50 undergraduate courses through the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative.



The Faculty has developed or renewed key research and teaching buildings over that span, including the Biological Sciences West and South buildings, UBC’s historic Chemistry Building, the new Biodiversity Research Centre and opening this summer, the new Earth Sciences Building. UBC Science's commitment to community engagement has also increased dramatically with the opening of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the recent administrative transfer of UBC's Botanical Garden to the Faculty of Science.



"I'm immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past six years, and look forward to continue working with our outstanding students, staff, faculty and administrative leadership to advance the Faculty's strategic plan and UBC's Place and Promise," says Peacock.

"The Faculty’s world-class research programs and innovative, evolving approaches to student learning are a major reason why UBC is recognized as one of the very best universities in the world. It has been, and continues to be, a privilege to work with such exceptional colleagues across campus."



Prior to joining UBC, Peacock served as Divisional Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2004-2006) at Arizona State University. He earned BS and MS degrees in Geology from MIT (1981) and a PhD in Geology from UCLA (1985). His research focuses on earthquakes, magmatism, and the tectonic structure of subduction zones. He has published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals including Science, Nature, and the Journal of Geological Education.