By Anita Jansman

Seven Queen’s University professors were named among the newest fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) today, more than in any other single year.

“It is remarkable in a university of our medium size to have seven distinguished faculty members elected to the Royal Society of Canada in one year. Each of these individuals has made important contributions to their fields, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honour,” says Principal Daniel Woolf, who currently serves on the RSC Executive Committee. “Moreover, fellowship in the three academies of the RSC is a much more meaningful and enduring measure of Queen's University's individual and collective achievements in research than are rankings exercises, which are too easily distorted by size of institution."

Fellowship in the RSC is one of the highest recognitions for Canadian academics in the arts, humanities, and the social and natural sciences. The seven new Queen’s fellows come from across four of the university’s faculties—Arts and Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Law. Their research touches on a wide range of important issues and topics, such as the needs of vulnerable children and youth involved in the justice system, the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia, and the global diffusion of Renaissance and Baroque Art

“This has been an outstanding year for Queen’s," says Dr. Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). "We are very proud of the accomplishments of our new fellows and look forward to a long and continued relationship with the Royal Society of Canada.”

The Royal Society of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1882 as Canada’s national academy. It helps to promote Canadian research, scholarly accomplishment and advises governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest. Fellows are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to the natural and social sciences, in the arts, and in the humanities.

The new fellows, who will be recognized at an RSC banquet in November in Banff, are:

Gauvin Bailey (Art History) has enriched understanding of the global diffusion of Renaissance and Baroque Art with his foundational work on the hybrid cultures of Latin America and Asia. His research challenges convention not only by comparing geographic regions in new ways, but also through the use of multidisciplinary methodologies to contextualize art internationally. From 2010-2011, Bailey held the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship.

Nicholas Bala (Law) is a family law scholar and international expert on children and parents involved in the justice system. Uniquely interdisciplinary and collaborative, he studies the needs and rights of children and youth, such as adolescent offenders or those in the middle of a high-conflict separation, as well as issues related to vulnerable adults, including victims of spousal violence and family litigants unable to afford lawyers.

Praveen Jain (Electrical and Computer Engineering) is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and a Canada Research Chair. His most significant work is concerned with the advancement of high frequency power conversion technology for its use in the space, telecommunications, computer and induction melting industries

Philip Jessop (Chemistry) pioneered a new field in chemical engineering and invented the first “switchable solvents.” His revolutionary contributions have resulted in technologies that address human needs while reducing environmental impact. Jessop has furthered these technologies through his role at GreenCentre Canada.

David Lillicrap (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) is an internationally-renowned researcher focused on the genetic basis of hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD). His work has led to innovative strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of the world’s most commonly-inherited bleeding diseases. Lillicrap’s novel findings, now being applied to clinical care worldwide, are improving the quality of life for patients with inherited bleeding disorders.

F.P. Lock (English) is a leading authority on 18th century British literature, politics, and ideas. His two-volume biography of Edmund Burke has been acclaimed as the “definitive study” of the most intellectual of British politicians. With his distinctive marrying of primary research and interpretive acumen, Lock’s work is hailed for its sophisticated rhetorical and intellectual analysis, and for its attention to historical and cultural contexts.

Carlos Prado (Philosophy) has made substantial contributions to contemporary philosophy and to applied ethics. His publications on Michel Foucault have contributed enormously to demonstrating the relevance and significance of the French philosopher’s work for contemporary Anglo-American philosophy. Professor Prado’s publications on suicide in dire medical circumstances have enlarged the debate about suicide to include its rationality as well as its ethical justification.

The Royal Society of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1882 as Canada’s national academy. It helps promote Canadian research, scholarly accomplishment and advises governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest.

View a complete list of 2013 RSC fellows