The Queen’s National Scholar (QNS) advisory committee has selected four expressions of interest, out of 20 submissions, to advance to the second round of the 2014-2015 competition.

The four applications moving forward are:

• Bioinformatics (School of Computing and the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences)
• Creative Industries in the Global City (Department of Film and Media)
• Biotechnology (Department of Biology)
• Power Electronics (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)

“The advisory committee was again impressed by the quality of the expressions of interest received,” says Laeeque Daneshmend, Deputy Provost, who co-chairs the QNS advisory committee with Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “Each of the submissions chosen to advance to the second round were extremely strong and would enhance Queen’s teaching and research expertise in these multidisciplinary fields, in support of areas of strategic importance to the university, and emerging and growing opportunities.”

Of the 20 initial submissions, 16 came from the Faculty of Arts and Science, including one joint submission with the Faculty of Health Sciences and one with the Faculty of Law. One submission was received from the Faculty of Health Sciences, two from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and one from the Faculty of Education.

Each of the selected proponents will now undertake a recruitment process and then submit an expanded proposal, including a recommendation of the individual to be appointed. The QNS advisory committee will make a recommendation to the principal as to which nominees should receive an offer for a QNS position. Funding for the program allows for a maximum of two QNS appointments in each annual competition.

The QNS program provides $100,000 annually for five years for each appointment, and is intended to attract outstanding junior and mid-career professors to Queen’s.  

Additional information on the Queen’s National Scholar program can be found on the website of the Office of the Provost.