Scientific Communication using Superheroes with E. Paul Zehr (part 2)

Faculty of Education

Dr. E. Paul Zehr is a neuroscientist, a biomedical researcher, and a professor in the University of Victoria’s School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education. He teaches kinesiology and neuroscience and his research focuses primarily on understanding neuromuscular plasticity; the ability of the human body to recover after neurological traumas. He believes in the need for science to communicate to society in an approachable way. One of the ways Zehr does this is by using superheroes as metaphors. Zehr’s books include Becoming Batman, Inventing IronMan, Project Superhero, and Creating Captain America. One of the major points Zehr stresses is how advanced the thinking is within the comic book genre. Technology which seemed like science fiction is now reality. He often juxtaposes images from comics with images of real neuroscience technology. Zehr is finding that incorporating superheroes in to his courses has helped create an interdisciplinary appreciation for science. To learn more about E. Paul Zehr, visit www.zehr.ca