Our origin story starts with four passionate University of Alberta science graduates; all convinced that connecting research to practice was possible.

Matthew Pyper - Principal

In 2007, Matthew recognized a need to bridge the gap between researchers and decision-makers and has been pursuing this passion ever since.  As a graduate student, he developed an appreciation for the importance of science in resource management and began to understand the challenges faced by industrial and government agencies in applying that knowledge. 

He then joined a team of Science Communicators at the Sustainable Forest Management Network and began working with government and industry practitioners across Canada to translate research findings into applications.  As the network closed, Matthew took the opportunity to build a knowledge exchange program in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta.  There, he continued working with academics to synthesize and communicate research applications in formats that were relevant and accessible to industry and government.

Shelagh Pyper - Principal

Shelagh has been an educator in spirit her whole life, and this passion for teaching gave her many opportunities - on the exciting demonstration stage at the Telus World of Science, developing a hands-on learning curriculum for math and science, and expanding the University of Alberta’s engineering outreach into northern communities and to new audiences like Indigenous communities and girls clubs. Founding Fuse was an opportunity to broaden the impact of her work from individual classes to nationwide programs and widely accessible digital media.

Sonya Odsen - Lead Ecologist and Science Communicator

While pursuing her graduate degree, Sonya discovered that she derived immense pleasure from sharing her scientific knowledge with people of all ages and backgrounds. When she learned about the work Matthew and Shelagh were doing, she realized that it presented an ideal opportunity for her to pursue her passion as a career. Over the years, Sonya has worked on a wide range of projects, starting from her initial research notes and a caribou sketch, and has always strived to find innovative ways to convey the excitement and significance of science to diverse audiences.

Kate Broadley - Director of Knowledge Mobilization

Kate is a science communicator who is passionate about sharing the wonders of the natural world with others. She started her journey in public education and interpretation at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and with Alberta Parks. After completing her graduate school, she joined Fuse, where she helps other scientists overcome communication challenges and share their research with a wider audience. Kate finds it exciting to assist the Fuse team in delivering creative and inspiring products that help researchers connect with their communities.

As Fuse grows, our focus is on building a team of talented individuals who are committed to occupying our niche between knowledge producers and knowledge users.  Our promise is to deliver high-quality, creative products to our clients.  In doing this, we will help our clients connect knowledge to practice and be true leaders in sustainability. 

We seek out conservation challenges that benefit from a balanced approach of collaboration between industry realities, management policy and research best practices. We play a small part in rebalancing ecosystems, developing relationships with and between conservation organizations, elevating the voice of Indigenous knowledge keepers and making science sticky.

Our approach brings focus to a complex challenge and order to the chaos while still holding space for uncomfortable truth and emergent solutions. This concept is called CHAORD and guides the framework of our organization as well as each client project we tackle.

Our Mission

We bring knowledge to life and empower leaders to make decisions that matter.

Values

Our Journey of Reconciliation

At Fuse, we are committed to learning about the Indigenous peoples of this land, connecting science and Indigenous knowledge, and growing as allies.

We began our own journey of reconciliation in 2019, collectively striving to grow as we became more mindful of different ways of knowing, being, learning, unlearning, and relearning. Our team recognizes our meaningful connection to the land and our gratitude to Mother Earth and the Indigenous peoples who were the original caretakers of the land we now call home. 

We work towards nurturing relationships with local Indigenous communities, Elders, and colleagues. We make space for continuous learning and professional development in reconciliation for our staff. We are actively curious and courageous in our conversations, learning to sit in our own discomfort as we learn and grow.  

We embrace humility in knowing there is much more for us to learn, and much more we can do, and are honoured to continue on this journey of reconciliation as a team.

Our commitment statement

Fuse Consulting Ltd. commits to living in harmony with Indigenous Peoples, learning from them, respecting their knowledge, lifting them up and growing towards a just and sustainable future.

We will become knowledgeable, brave allies that make space to acknowledge uncomfortable Truths and do the heavy lifting that normalizes good process, and two-eyed seeing.

Our acknowledgments of the land on which we live and work

Amiskwacîwâskahikan hub (Cree name for Edmonton region)

It is with respect and gratitude that the team at Fuse Consulting Ltd. acknowledge that we live and work on Treaty 6 territory, the ancestral and traditional territory of the Cree, Denesuliné, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Mohawk, Nakota Sioux and the Métis Nation (Region 4). We commit to living in harmony with the traditional peoples of these lands, learning from them, respecting their knowledge, lifting them up and growing towards a just and sustainable future.