Percy, John

Research

John R. Percy is a professor emeritus of astronomy at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). His research interests include variable stars and stellar evolution. He is also active in science education (especially astronomy) at all levels, throughout the world. He has served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the Royal Canadian Institute, the American Association of Variable Variable Star Observers, the International Astronomical Union Commissions on Variable Stars, and on Astronomical Education, and of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He has served as Honorary President of the Science Teachers' Association of Ontario, and as Vice-Chair (1992-98) of the Board of Trustees of the Ontario Science Centre. He is the 1996 recipient of the Astronomical League Award, the 1997 recipient of the Royal Canadian Institute's Sandford Fleming Medal, for contributions to public awareness and appreciation of science and technology, the 1997 School of Continuing Studies Award for Exceptional Commitment and Achievement in Adult Learning, the 1997 Distinguished Educator Award of OISE/UT, the 1999 Jack Bell Award for leadership in science education, and the 2003 recipient of the University of Toronto's Northrop Frye Award, for exemplary linkage of teaching and research. In 1999, he was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2006, he was an inaugural recipient of the University of Toronto President's Teaching Award, and an inaugural member of the Teaching Academy.