Brock University has announced Peter Berg as its new Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science.

Berg is currently a Professor of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Alberta and the Chair of the Department of Science on its Augustana Campus. He is a highly experienced academic administrator with a strong track record of teaching, research, speaking and publishing, as well as innovation in academic spaces.

In Alberta, he garnered support for the implementation of a new academic calendar in the Faculty to provide unique, high-impact learning experiences and enhancing retention, mental health, and cohort building. Berg’s research falls predominantly into the areas of computational physics, nanofluidics and physical theories of electrochemical systems. The research is highly interdisciplinary and it has been supported by a variety of funding sources, including industrial collaborations with leading fuel-cell companies.

Prior to his time at the University of Alberta, Berg served as the Head of Programs for both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Physics programs at NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology. During his time there, he created an online resource for computational physics (NumFys.net) which spurred a keen interest in technological solutions for teaching and the development of cloud-based learning environments for computational sciences. He continues to feed this interest through an international project in partnership with colleagues in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Eswatini, supported by the Canadian not-for-profit organization Academics without Borders.

“The committee was impressed by Dr. Berg’s background and the demonstrated ways he has met challenges, maintained momentum and built up his colleagues to move his team forward,” said Lynn Wells, Brock’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor and Provost. “In addition to his ability to foster innovative research, he showed us a deep understanding of how different scientific disciplines function and interact, and at the same time, an appreciation for collaborations with the arts and humanities. We are thrilled to welcome him to Brock.

“I also want to express the University’s sincere appreciation to Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, who has led the Faculty of Mathematics and Science since 2012,” Wells said.

Ahmed’s second term as Dean concludes at the end of December.

Berg received his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Bristol, U.K., where his thesis focused on “Optimal-velocity models of motorway traffic” and also received a Physik Diplom from the University of Muenster in Germany. In 2020, he was awarded a Senior Research Fellowship to visit RWTH Aachen in Germany.

“I’m so excited to join Brock and the Faculty of Mathematics and Science,” said Berg upon his appointment. “I’m a firm believer in collaborative leadership that empowers and motivates my colleagues to excel, and collaboratively setting visionary and ambitious goals that capture the enthusiasm and talent to realize them. I know that together, we will build an incredible future for the Faculty and institution.”

Brock would like to extend its gratitude to the search committee for their time spent working on this critical hire for the University.

Berg will begin his role as Dean on Jan. 1, 2023.