معرفی
Andrew Westoll is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream in the Department of English at the University of Toronto Scarborough, where he teaches creative writing and explores intersections between literature and science. An award-winning author and journalist, he holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and has received numerous accolades for his work examining human relationships with the natural world.
- Education: MFA in Creative Writing (University of British Columbia)
Westoll's research and creative practice centers on narrative non-fiction and fiction that interrogates humanity's fraught relationship with animals and ecosystems. His work combines rigorous scientific inquiry with compelling storytelling, particularly focusing on primate behavior, conservation ethics, and environmental stewardship. He examines how literature can bridge scientific understanding and public consciousness regarding animal rights and ecological preservation.
His publications reveal a consistent thematic trajectory exploring trauma, resilience, and redemption in human-animal relationships, evolving from jungle travelogues to in-depth studies of primate sanctuaries and fictional explorations of environmental collapse. This body of work demonstrates increasing sophistication in weaving scientific concepts with narrative techniques to address urgent ethical questions.
- Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction (2012)
- Gold National Magazine Award
- UTSC Teaching Award (2019)
- Long-listed for Canada Reads (twice)
- Globe and Mail/Amazon.ca/Quill and Quire Book of the Year designations
While specific grant details aren't documented, Westoll channels significant professional energy into advocacy, donating portions of his book royalties to the Fauna Lifetime Care Fund. His teaching mentorship focuses on developing students' narrative skills while encouraging ethical engagement with scientific and environmental themes. Though not affiliated with formal research laboratories, his work maintains deep connections with Fauna Sanctuary near Montreal, where he conducted immersive research for his Charles Taylor Prize-winning book.
