President’s Award for Outstanding Research

The President’s Award for Outstanding Research recognizes a researcher who has made outstanding contributions to a scholarly disciplines. The award includes a $5,000 research grant.

Dr. Trevor Bell

As a geomorphologist with the geography department, Dr. Trevor Bell takes an interdisciplinary approach to his research studies. In doing so he has collaborated with both physical and social scientists to produce an integrated picture of landscape change in

Newfoundland. In pursuing this unique approach, Dr. Bell has been awarded the 2000 President’s Award for Outstanding Research.

Working with Dr. Priscilla Renouf in Archaeology, Dr. Bell has done significant research into the integration of ancient landscapes and human settlements in Newfoundland. His research has lead to the discovery of a 10,000 year old Maritime Archaic Indian habitation site in Port au Choix. In addition, Dr. Bell has also been involved in a broad range of projects from the interpretation of satellite imagery to the recovery of endangered plant species.

“A lot of our work is carried out on our own in our offices and in the field,” says Dr. Bell. “And when you are doing it, you never think of getting any recognition. To me this award is recognition by colleagues and peers that the work I am doing is worthwhile and of benefit to the university and society.”

After receiving a BA (Hons.) from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, a M.Sc. from Memorial and a PhD from the University of Alberta, Dr. Bell returned to Memorial in 1994.

“As a young researcher, we found Memorial has been a very nurturing environment and has provided strong links to other departments,” said Dr. Bell. “Drs. John Jacobs and Priscilla Renouf have been wonderful mentors for me and my research.”

Actively involved in the community, Dr. Bell has given numerous presentations to the public, the Newfoundland Museum, the Gros Morne National Park Visitor Centre, and the Bird Cove Prehistoric Foundation. A mentor himself, Dr. Bell has trained several honours and graduate students and has co-supervised a Master’s project in archaeology, which incorporates landscape elements into the understanding of human settlement strategies.

Dr. Bell has been very productive in his research publications by co-editing one book, one special journal issue and one volume of conference proceedings. He has published 11 peer-reviewed papers with two more under review. He and his colleagues have presented their collaborative research at 18 conferences since 1994.