Basil Waugh joined the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics in March 2015 as the Communications Officer, bringing plenty of energy and an innovative approach to media relations at UVM.

Basil brings 20 years of experience in higher education, having served key public relations roles at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, B.C.

With a degree in English literature and commerce, Basil started his career as an event planner at a major performing arts and conference center with a 1200-seat concert hall. His knack for reception and event planning brought Basil to the attention of UBC Ceremonies and Events, where he was hired to plan royal visits, Graduation ceremonies, and other high level events for the university’s president.

For the last ten years, Basil worked in media relations at UBC, publicizing new research discoveries and commentary from faculty experts. As Senior Media Relations Specialist, he promoted a wide range of topics, including environmental science, business, psychology, and medicine and helped to create the university’s first-ever news “beat” for sustainability stories.

“I am passionate about sharing university research with the public, and I also care deeply about the environment,” says the new Rubenstein School staff member. “So the Gund Institute, which brings together UVM sustainability researchers, is a great fit for me.”

Basil co-led a successful, award-winning campaign to advance UBC’s international reputation during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Working from the Games’ international media center, Basil and his team connected global journalists with UBC Olympic-related research and commentary – from stories on blood doping to the Games’ impacts on Vancouver’s economy and environment.

“The Olympics were so exciting to be a part of,” says Basil. “The whole country was pumped, and every day our researchers were appearing in the world’s top news outlets, from CNN to The New York Times. It was a fantastic experience.”

For their work, Basil and his team won the top national award for university communications and marketing in Canada, and U.S. national and regional awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Shortly after moving to Vermont in 2014, Basil took a contract position with UVM’s University Communications. He made an immediate impression when his first UVM research story went viral, with stories in The New York Times, NBC News, CBS News, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, and more.

Since joining the Gund Institute, Basil has brought similar attention to research discoveries by Gund Fellows, postdocs, and students. Along with crafting and pitching news releases, Basil offers media training workshops to prepare scholars for interviews with journalists. He manages all aspects of communications and marketing at the Gund and recently launched a newly redesigned website.

“I strongly believe that research can make the world a better place,” says Basil. “But for real progress to happen, we have to share our ideas and discoveries beyond the university gates. That’s where I see my role. I share our findings as widely as possible so that our work can have real impacts and benefit society.”

Now living in Burlington with his wife, Basil has “fully embraced the ‘Vermont lifestyle,’” he says, laughing. He and his wife make their own cheese, butter, and bread; grow much of their own food in an enormous garden; and craft sparkling hard apple cider.

Basil, who previously performed in indie rock and electronic dance music bands, looks forward to his ten-minute walk to work each day and appreciates the comfortable size of the UVM campus with its easy accessibility to researchers and their stories.