Canada’s national academy, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced today the induction of its 2023 cohort of new fellows and College members – one of the highest recognitions Canadian academics can receive. The cohort includes two Queen’s faculty members: Tucker Carrington (Chemistry), as a fellow of the RSC, and Darryl Robinson (Law), as a new member of The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

"The excellence of our faculty members is a fundamental driver of Queen’s research reputation," says Vice-Principal (Research) Nancy Ross. "This honour acknowledges their leadership and outstanding contributions to their respective fields."

Fellows of the RSC are Canadian artists and scholars from all fields, recognized by their career contributions to the arts, humanities, sciences, and Canadian public life. Members of The College are Canadian citizens or permanent residents within up to 15 years of completion of their doctoral studies that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishment, elected for a seven-year term.

Since 1964, Queen’s has had 119 faculty members elected as fellows of the RSC and 17 as members of the College of New Artists, Scholars, and Scientists.

Deep dive into the quantum field

Dr. Carrington (Chemistry) is an internationally recognized expert in mathematical, theoretical, and computational chemistry. His research program focuses on molecular quantum dynamics, which lies at the intersection of quantum physics and chemistry and aims to further our understanding of elementary chemical processes – for example, the motion of atoms during a collision or as a molecule interacts with light. The potential applications of these fundamental studies include greenhouse gas emissions reduction, global warming modelling, atmospheric chemistry, and beyond.

During his career, Dr. Carrington has published over 200 research papers and developed pioneering computational methods that are now widely used in quantum molecular dynamics. "Recognition by one’s peers is always gratifying, and I’m honoured to be made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada," says Dr. Carrington. "I am thankful to many excellent graduate students and postdocs who made significant contributions to our research."

Dr. Carrington joined Queen’s as the Canada Research Chair in Computational Quantum Dynamics (2007-2021) and has received numerous awards and accolades. He is a recipient of the Polanyi Award from the Canadian Society for Chemistry (2014), a member of the International Academy of Molecular Science (2019), and a fellow of the American Physical Society (2007) and the Chemical Institute of Canada (1999).

Characterizing crimes against nature

As a scholar and practitioner in international criminal justice, Dr. Robinson has made substantial contributions to the development of international law, including transnational jurisprudence on crimes against humanity. His research strives to foster a more inclusive and humanistic system of international justice. Before joining Queen’s in 2008, he was an adviser at the International Criminal Court, a Legal Officer at Global Affairs Canada, and a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2013, he was awarded the prestigious Antonio Cassese Prize for International Criminal Legal Studies by a body of international peers.

Commenting on the recent election to the RSC College, Dr. Robinson says: "I am honoured and touched to be included among this group of influential Canadian scholars. I hope to form new partnerships with College members who are tackling different aspects of complex problems, such as environmental crimes."

Dr. Robinson’s current research and advocacy seeks to advance a proposed new crime of "ecocide," which would respond to the most egregious environmental wrongdoing. While environmental harm is often treated as a mere 'regulatory' matter, Dr. Robinson believes massive environmental wrongdoing should be treated in a manner commensurate with the enduring harms it inflicts on present and future generations.

For more information on the 2023 cohort of fellows and College members, visit the Royal Society of Canada website.