Congratulations to Dr. Ian Pike, who has received the 2017 UBC President’s Award for Public Education Through Media.

UBC President Dr. Santa Ono formally recognized Dr. Pike and other Faculty Research Award recipients at a ceremony held at the Chan Centre on April 17, 2018.

According to UBC’s Research and Innovation Office, the award is given to a faculty member “who has demonstrated outstanding service to the University and the community by actively and creatively sharing research expertise via the news media." Dr. Pike was recognized for his work as director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) and founding member and spokesperson for The Community Against Preventable Injuries (Preventable).

A well-known expert on injury prevention topics with the media, Dr. Pike is a tireless advocate for public safety. Since the launch of Preventable in 2009, he has completed over 100 media interviews on topics surrounding drowning prevention, safe boating and water safety, proper ladder use, work-related injury, and changing behaviours and attitudes to prevent injuries.

Dr. Pike was the only recipient asked to speak at the event, highlighting the impact that injuries have on our society. “It may surprise many of you that injury is the leading cause of death for all British Columbians aged 1 to 44," he said. “Some 1,800 lives are lost, over 30,000 are hospitalized, and over 300,000 visit emergency rooms each year because of injury, and this costs our province an estimated 6 billion dollars each year.

“I am very encouraged by the University’s formal recognition of the important role that media plays in educating the public by amplifying evidence-informed messages about preventing injury. My congratulations to the other award recipients and my sincere thanks for this honour."

Past recipients of the award include Joel Bakan (Peter A. Allard School of Law, 2016), Steve Morgan (School of Population and Public Health, 2015), and Jennifer Gardy (School of Population and Public Health, 2014).

Congrats, Ian!

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Photo by Geoff Lister