Dr. Svetlana Barkanova is the new Vice-Chair of the Division of Theoretical Physics of the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP). Since the Vice-Chair is also the Chair-Elect, Barkanova will become Chair of the division when her current two-year term ends.

Part of the division’s mission is to set up and run its own program at the annual CAP Congress and to organize a national conference called Theory CANADA.

“We also do other things that help to generally invigorate the Canadian Theoretical Physics community, such as promoting and funding students, networking with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), international networking and so on,” says Barkanova, associate professor in Acadia’s Department of Physics. 

Time and commitment

Agreeing to be nominated as Vice-Chair was not a simple decision.

“A national-level role like this one requires a lot of time,” Barkanova points out. “Like most faculty members at Acadia, I teach five courses and am always striving to provide the best possible learning experience for my students. That keeps me quite busy,” she says.

In addition, her own research program has ramped up recently, and she describes her commitments to both teaching and research as non-negotiable. “The only thing I could let go to make time for this is volunteering for the Canadian Ski Patrol,” she says. “I'll miss the Patrol, but I'll be more helpful to more people in my new role at CAP.”

Representing small universities

Barkanova sees herself as representing the many theorists in Canada who work at small universities, because she understands the unique issues and challenges they face.

“Acadia is a wonderful school to teach at, but as a researcher I can feel isolated,” she says. “The closest physicist with similar research interests I can collaborate with is in Newfoundland.” As a female and an immigrant, she hopes to be a good representative for both of these groups of scientists as well. 

Barkanova believes that representation at the national level from a small institution is vital. “Unfortunately, there is a common opinion that big science can only be made at large universities and research centres,” she says.

As a result of this misconception, people at small universities with high teaching loads are finding it harder and harder to get external research funding.

“I am trying to prove that, with careful planning and strategic use of resources, it is actually possible to be involved in large-scale international projects and do cutting-edge science even at small schools like Acadia,” she says. “It is not easy, but it can be done.”

Acadia, says Barkanova, provides an advantage that large schools may not have: excellent students eager to be involved in real-world research. “The students help me quite a lot,” she says, “and in turn they are getting hands-on research experience.”

Since 1945, the Canadian Association of Physicists has represented researchers in universities, government laboratories, and industrial research laboratories. It highlights achievements in Canadian physics and pursues initiatives that strengthen the discipline. It also works to raise awareness of physics among youth and the general public.

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