Brock University alumnus Paul Hubley (BSc ’91) believes earth sciences are a vehicle to solving many of the world’s tough problems — and he has put this to the test through his decades-long career.

The Principal and Senior Geoscientist at Hubley Geosciences Limited was recently honoured for his efforts as Brock’s 2022 Faculty of Mathematics and Science Distinguished Graduate Award recipient.

Hubley has 30 years of consulting experience on more than 1,000 projects throughout most provinces of Canada.

He has provided expert testimony and opinions for Ontario Superior Court, Environmental Review Tribunal and Ontario Municipal Board hearings, and, through his training and experience, he regularly provides practical direction to issues of property contamination and restoration, liability assessment, risk management and sustainability.

Growing up in St. Catharines, Hubley wanted to “spread his wings” after high school graduation and began his post-secondary journey outside of Niagara. He quickly realized the benefits that come with attending school in his hometown and returned to attend Brock in 1988. Hubley earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from the University in 1991.

His wide range of accreditation includes certification by ECO Canada; Canadian Risk Manager certification by Global Risk Management Institute; and Fellow of Geoscientists Canada.

His continued career advancement and drive to reimagine what earth sciences can be is built on the advice: “Don’t get stuck in your paradigm.”

Hubley says he continues to look for new ways to improve while maintaining top quality in his work.

“Your work has to stand up to scrutiny, and when you work with governments and the law, you need to be as accurate as possible,” he says.

In 2021, he was acclaimed for a one-year term as President of Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) and appointed for a two-year term as Co-ordinator (Canada) for the International Association of Promoting Geoethics (IAPG).

As Chair of PGO’s Professional Practice Committee (2012-2021), Paul spearheaded the development of a peer review guideline for professional geoscience work, developed a Sustainability and Climate Change Committee (now a permanent standing committee of PGO) and oversaw the update of best practice guidelines throughout the subdisciplines.

Hubley has volunteered at Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) for nearly 20 years. He also cares deeply about Indigenous communities and hopes to help solve the water problems they face. He has been involved in projects on First Nations lands for more than 20 years as well.

Hubley says he will use the energy of earning the Distinguished Graduate honour as a “lightning strike and high energy blast.” He intends to use the reward as fuel to continue his dedicated work on environmental issues.

“We are proud to count Paul Hubley as an alumnus,” said Ejaz Ahmed, Dean of Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science. “His leadership, commitment to environmental stewardship and business acumen shine brightly.”