2024 book awards Jury Panel |
General Award |
Sandy BonnySandy Marie Bonny is a Saskatoon/Treaty 6 based writer, storyteller, and visual artist with an academic background in the Earth sciences. She has brought science, stories, and students together for over 20 years in roles coordinating, developing, and delivering STEM outreach and post-secondary access initiatives. An advocate of multi-vocal literacy, Sandy believes in the power of story to connect, teach, and motivate personal agency. She lives in Saskatoon with her daughter, pets, and many, many books. Follow Sandy on:  | Elissa StromeEdmonton (Amii), Montreal (Mila), and Toronto (Vector Institute) and across the country to advance Canada’s leadership in AI research, training and innovation. She is a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion in science, and an ambassador for Canada’s position in AI research, innovation, and policy internationally. Elissa is a member of the federal government’s AI Advisory Council, a member of the OECD’s Network of Experts on AI and Expert Group on AI in Health, a member of the Health Canada Expert Advisory Committee for AI in Health, and sits on the Advisory Board of York University’s Centre for AI & Society. Her strong leadership and support of women and gender-diverse people in STEM has been recognized by a Special Jury Recognition at the Women in AI Awards North America (2023) and the Womxn in Data Science Lifetime Achievement Award (2022). Elissa completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. Following a post-doc at Lund University, in Sweden, she decided to pursue a career in research strategy, policy, and leadership. From 2008 – 2017 she held senior leadership positions at University of Toronto’s Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, advancing major institutional strategic research priorities, including establishing and leading the SOSCIP research consortium. She is currently training towards her second-degree black belt in taekwondo. Follow Elissa on:
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Sandra CorbeilSandra Corbeil has been a member of the science centre and museum community for more than 62 years. A self described “science nerd” she’s brought her curiosity and love of science to her work in STEM education, communication as well as building collaboration and partnerships. She is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. A passionate reader, Sandra loves exploring new ideas and connecting with others over a cup of strong coffee. She lives in Clarence Creek Ontario with her cats and her husband.
Follow Sandra on: LinkedIn | X @SLCorbeil | IG @sandracorbeil123
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Child and Youth Award
Rochelle StraussRochelle Strauss is on a mission to change the world – one book at a time! As an environmental educator and best-selling children’s author, Rochelle is dedicated to building environmental literacy and inspiring people to become active stewards of our planet. Through her work, she uses compelling storytelling to bring complex environmental issues to life, helping young people better understand the science and empowering them to make a positive impact. Rochelle’s books have won several awards, been published internationally and incorporated into curriculum in the US. The Global Ocean (Kids Can Press, 2022) is a UNESCO endorsed Ocean Decade Activity, and One Well: The Story of Water on Earth (Kids Can Press, 2007) was selected as part of the UN’s SDG Book Club in support of SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. One Well has sold over half a million copies internationally. Rochelle has new books arriving in 2026 and 2027. Rochelle and her partner live in Toronto, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabeg and the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Though she grew up a city girl, Rochelle is happiest when she is in, on or by the ocean. Follow Rochelle on:
| Amy HarperI am a passionate teacher and avid reader who is always looking for books that will interest my students and engage them in meaningful reading. I have been teaching for 14 years, both as an elementary generalist and now as a junior high language arts specialist. The selection of texts in this category lends itself towards emerging readers because the texts are both informational and fun! Follow Amy on: IG @aliterarygoodtime
| Jana LevisonJana Levison is a professional engineer, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (environmental option) and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (focus: groundwater resources). She is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering (Water Resources Engineering and Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute) at the University of Guelph. She is also the inaugural Doody Family Chair for Women in Engineering (2022-2027). Previously she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Université du Québec à Montréal, working on multidisciplinary ecohydrological modeling related to climate change. In 2009-2010 she led engineering and public policy initiatives as the Junior Fellow and Acting Executive Director of the Ontario Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at Professional Engineers Ontario. Dr. Levison was an Associate Editor for Hydrogeology Journal from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Dr. Levison received the IAH-CNC Early Career Hydrogeologist Award. At the University of Guelph Dr. Levison is conducting novel research about agricultural and climate change impacts on groundwater quality and quantity, with implications for source water projection. She loves spending time reading books with her two children. Follow Jana on:
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