Nine Professors named Royal Society Fellows

Nine Queen’s University faculty members have been elected to the Royal Society of Canada, the highest number of inductees the university has had in one year. Fellowship in the RSC is one of the highest recognitions for Canadian academics in the arts, humanities, and the social and natural sciences. Seven of the nine electees are from the Faculty of Arts and Science!

Myra J. Hird (Environmental Studies), a distinguished interdisciplinary scholar with an international reputation for her multifaceted, collaborative investigations into science studies and environmental issues. Dr. Hird explores how social sciences and humanities may engage with scientific knowledge to better respond to a wide range of global issues, including climate change, human-animal relations, and the nature and future of waste.

Ian McKay (History), a highly respected scholar, analyst and award-winning author. Dr. McKay is credited with changing not just conventional views of Canadian history, but the basic concepts of the field itself. His investigations into Canadian working-class culture, politics and Canadian historical theory have uncovered broader historical patterns and political frameworks that continue to inform the work of historians and social scientists.

François Rouget (French), a specialist in Renaissance literature. A leading researcher in the field of poetry, Dr. Rouget is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the scholars who enriched the knowledge of the poets of the second half of the 16th century.                              

Wendy Craig (Psychology), a leading international expert on bullying prevention and the promotion of healthy relationships.  As founder and co-scientific director of Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), Dr. Craig has transformed the understanding of bullying and has effectively translated the science into evidence-based practice and intervention.

W. George Lovell (Geography), an international scholar of historical geography, most notably in the regional context of Latin America, where his work on Central America has had impacts not only on his own discipline but also on several related fields. Considered a leading authority on indigenous Mayan survival, Dr. Lovell has demonstrated how their post-colonial experiences relate to much deeper rooted cultural, political and economic processes.

Erwin Buncel (Chemistry), a continuously productive chemist with over 350 journal publications and four books.  While at Queen’s, he developed various avenues of investigation in physical organic, bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry.  Dr. Buncel’s career is unique because of the extremely broad range of chemical problems on which he has had a major impact.

John Burge (Music), an award-winning composer and champion of the arts in Canada.  Exceptional in his ability to write successfully for the entire gamut of vocal and instrumental combinations, his outstanding musical output breaks new ground both technically and expressively.

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