Marine Geologist wins PM's Media Communication prize - 26/11/2010
Marine geologist Cornel de Ronde, of Crown Research Institute GNS Science, has won the 2010 Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize.
Marine geologist Dr Cornel de Ronde, of GNS Science, believes scientists who are spending taxpayers' money have a responsibility to communicate their science to a wide audience. Photo - Clive Ralph
Dr de Ronde was awarded the Prize for communicating his work in exploring New Zealand’s offshore marine territory, particularly the submarine volcanoes of the Kermadec Arc, northeast of the Bay of Plenty. He receives $50,000 with another $50,000 allocated for further developing his science media communication skills.
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes were introduced in 2009 to raise the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders. They combine recognition and reward, with total prize money of $1 million spread across five awards.
The Science Media Communication Prize is awarded to a practising scientist and is designed to encourage effective communication that will inspire future scientists and connect New Zealanders to the importance of science.
Dr de Ronde considered being a professional footballer and an astronaut after leaving school, but it was science that ultimately provided the adventurous life he was looking for.
He says his passion for the discoveries to be made in one of the most remote places on Earth has motivated him to become a good communicator.
“The public has a large appetite for finding out more about the deep sea, but very few people can get there to have a first-hand look.
“There is also a need to have good information that will help us make informed choices about valuable assets like the habitats and mineral deposits around the underwater vents we are researching.”
He believes scientists who are spending taxpayers’ money have a responsibility to explain what they do.
“More importantly, the things we are doing are exceptionally exciting, adventurous and important – the deep sea may well hold the answers for future generations’ need for food, energy and mineral resources.”
Dr de Ronde has helped create a new field of scientific research in New Zealand focused on the hydrothermal vents, or sea floor hot springs, associated with the submarine volcanoes marking the Pacific Ring of Fire. His work has involved numerous international collaborations and the use of specialised submarines, submersibles, and robotic vehicles to collect and record information.
His research has allowed him to witness ‘incredible phenomena’ including under-sea eruptions, lakes of molten sulphur on the summits of volcanoes and vents discharging liquid carbon dioxide into the ocean. He has also made numerous world-first discoveries, such as finding new species of marine animals living on submarine volcanoes.
In 2008 he joined forces with Te Papa and television production company the Gibson Group to develop a motion simulator vehicle that takes museum visitors on a spectacular virtual ride along the ocean floor to explore the Kermadec Arc. Called the Deep Ride, it has introduced many thousands of people to the wonders of offshore exploration and marine geology.
In January 2011 he is bringing two state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, to New Zealand to search for evidence of the Pink and White Terraces geothermal system at the bottom of Lake Rotomahana, near Rotorua. As part of this project, he is working with a production company to make a television documentary about the exploration of Lake Rotomahana.
Dr de Ronde wants to help change public perceptions about scientists.
“There is still a stereotype of the nutty scientist with crazy hair, coke-bottle-thick glasses and a white coat mixing up brews in a basement. I want to show young people that a career in science can be varied, thrilling and rewarding.”
He will be using his prize money to gain more experience in producing and presenting his work in film and on television and acting as “a bridge” between science and the media.
“I’d like to make a contribution to the two-way conversation between journalists and scientists, helping each to better understand what the other does and encouraging more positive perceptions of science in the media.
“I can also learn from the media industry about how to better convey the science I am involved in and use that knowledge to promote science more effectively.”
The 2010 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes were presented in Auckland on 26 November 2010. To find out more about the Prizes visit: