NutriNews Issue 7 2017 NutriNews Issue 7 2017 | Page 27

Professor EDNA Park Lecture The 2016 Professor Edna W. Park Lecture was held on November 10th, and brought Timothy Caulfield to the podium as this year’s Edna Park Lecturer. Timothy Caulfield is a Canada Research Chair in Health law and Policy, a Trudeau Fellow and Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. He is known for his writing in popular press which covers a range of health and science policy issues. With media being a main window for the public to gain access and exposure to information, such as research findings, it is important to ensure that the message that comes across is true to what the evidence demonstrates, especially applicable to our Department is how this relates to nutritional research and recommendations. His lecture, entitled, “How Pop Culture Twists Health and Nutrition Information (And Why This Matters)” spoke to this concern with witty examples presented in an engaging and enthusiastic style. The presentation sparked much discussion and debate which continued into the reception that followed. Thank you Timothy Caulfield for addressing the influence social media has on public perception of research findings and emphasizing the need to ensure misinformation does not take the place of reliable information due to the pursuit of a more eye-catching headline. By: Stephanie Nishi Issue 3 | Nutrition of Everything | 21