Excellence
Royal Society of Canada bestows three SFU scholars with country’s highest academic honour
Three Simon Fraser University (SFU) scholars have been named to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) as Fellows, bringing SFU's total number of active RSC members to more than 70 researchers.
Membership in the RSC is Canada’s highest academic honour.
"Research is a foundational component of SFU's vision to build a more inclusive and sustainable future, and this year's Royal Society of Canada fellows are helping bring that vision to life," says SFU President and Vice-Chancellor Joy Johnson, who was elected to the RSC in 2019.
"Congratulations and thank you for all you bring to SFU and the world through your hard work, determination and innovative spirit."
Established in 1882 as Canada’s national academy, the society promotes research and learning in the arts, humanities and sciences. RSC awards fellowships to peer-elected and distinguished individuals who have made substantial contributions in these fields.
Aligned with SFU’s vision as a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future, the society’s mandate is to build a better future for Canada and the world.
“SFU’s newest Royal Society of Canada inductees push the boundaries of knowledge in a number of areas,” says Dugan O'Neil, SFU vice-president of research and innovation.
“Our scholars fuel research discoveries, drive social innovations and create solutions that contribute to a more innovative, equitable and resilient economy, both locally and globally.”
The RSC 2024 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference — including a symposium on innovative climate change solutions, which features scholars from SFU and across Canada — will be hosted this year at SFU from November 7 to 9, 2024. This annual gathering is an opportunity for celebrating achievements, discussing global challenges and welcoming distinguished scholars. To learn more and register, visit RSC’s event page. Registration Closes Oct. 4, 2024.
2024 Royal Society of Canada Fellows
Leith Davis, Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
An internationally recognized author, Leith Davis specializes in cultural memory studies, Scottish and Irish literature and culture, 18th-century literature, and media history. Davis leads SFU’s Research Centre for Scottish Studies and is a co-founder of SFU’s Department of English’s MA with Specialization in Print and Culture.
Read the full story here.
David Vocadlo, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
A world-renowned chemical biologist, Vocadlo and his team develop new technologies for studying unusual carbohydrates present on proteins within the cells of our bodies. His pioneering research has played a pivotal role in developing innovative therapeutic approaches for treating various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Nicholas Dulvy, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
A world-leading marine ecologist, Dulvy combines Darwin’s traditional toolbox–of natural history field guides, thermometer, microscope, and dissection kit–with big-data approaches in solving global environmental challenges. He measures the effects of overfishing and climate change on marine biodiversity, particularly sharks and rays.
Read the full announcement from the Royal Society of Canada.
- The Government of Canada's Research Support Fund (RSF) supports with funding for Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA) staff. These positions help SFU researchers increase success, reduce administrative burden, and make it possible for the university and SFU faculty to successfully compete for the most significant and prestigious grants, prizes and awards available.
To suggest a candidate for the 2025 Royal Society of Canada nominations, please contact Institutional Strategic Awards at awards@sfu.ca.