Profile: Catherine Hickson

Working as a volcanologist for Natural Resources Canada

She was always fascinated by rocks, but Dr. Catherine Hickson never dreamed she would one day become one of the world’s foremost authorities on volcanoes.

From model volcanoes to a full-blown career

“I had hundreds of rocks when I was a kid. I had always been interested in geology, and I had done huge projects on it—especially about volcanoes—but I never considered it a potential career.”

Catherine is now a volcanologist with Natural Resources Canada’s Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in Vancouver. A self-described “volcanic sleuth,” Catherine focuses on volcanology and mapping. “I try to understand the volcano—how it evolved and how it formed. I put together a whole bunch of pieces of a puzzle and answer questions.”

Option course shifts her career path

Catherine first studied recreation and psychology at the University of Alberta but, by chance, chose a course in geology to satisfy her program requirements. This casual decision would chart her real destiny.

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was the pivotal event in her professional life. By coincidence, she was there for the momentous occasion. It was the event that sparked her passion for volcanology.

Mentoring women in the scientific community

Women were barely visible in the scientific field in the 1980s, especially in earth sciences. But Catherine was encouraged to pursue her studies to the PhD level by professors who recognized her abilities.

This experience later prompted her to become a role model and mentor for young Canadian women in the sciences. “I’ve been part of several mentorship programs over the years,” she says. “I saw the important role that my mentors played while I was going through university.”

“Women are in the minority in the scientific field and there are special considerations with them,” she notes. “I want to help some young aspiring women pursue scientific careers and take on leadership roles within their professions.”

Canadian expertise on the international scene

Since that time, Catherine has moved up in the ranks of volcano experts, with many scientific papers to her credit. In 1996 she was asked to manage the Multinational Andean Project:Geoscience for Sustainable Development (MAP:GSD). Its partners included Canada, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru and aimed to find new mineral wealth and help create sustainable communities.In 2002 she lead a second international geoscience project, Geoscience of Andean Communities (MAP:GAC). Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela were added to the list of partners, and the new project focused on natural hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes and landslides).

Her work on many different projects has earned her the respect of her peers—both in Canada and abroad—and in 1999 she received the Head of the Public Service Award.

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