Art of Science Judge: Unlocking Imagination

The Art of Science contest brings unique groups of people together, according to Justin Perry, Ph.D., dean of Florida Atlantic’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. The dean is one of 12 judges in this year’s annual photography and videography contest, hosted by the university’s Division of Research. The contest showcases cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative activity happening across the colleges, both in the lab and in the field.

"This contest symbolizes the power of research and scholarship across all disciplines and stakeholders in the FAU community,” Perry said. “Not just as a means of producing new knowledge, but for unlocking the imagination and bringing people together in ways that wouldn't happen otherwise, science is a never-ending artistic enterprise.”

Prior to coming to Florida Atlantic, Perry, who was recently named to the board of directors for Center for Child Counseling of Palm Beach County, was dean of the School of Education at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), where he said he was responsible for cultivating relationships with the Kansas City Teacher Residency program and Kansas City Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools program. Additionally, under his leadership, UMKC received substantial funding to support student scholarships and external research projects.

Perry’s research efforts focus on youth development and advocation in education, particularly in urban areas. He has contributed to more than 50 publications highlighting this area and earned more than $15 million in funding over the course of his career.

“A classic example of how art and science came together in my own experience was when I worked with K-12 schools on what is commonly referred to as "STEAM" education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics),” Perry said.