Principal Daniel Woolf announced Benoit-Antoine Bacon will serve as Queen’s next provost and vice-principal (academic). He will begin his five-year term on Aug. 1, 2016, succeeding Alan Harrison.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Bacon to Queen’s University. As an academic leader and researcher, he possesses the skills and experience necessary to help us build on the university’s achievements of the past several years and to enhance further Queen’s reputation for academic excellence, which has been a cornerstone of this institution since its founding nearly 175 years ago,” Principal Daniel Woolf says. “Benoit-Antoine is an accomplished, enthusiastic and energetic administrator who brings many strengths to the job. I and the other members of the senior administrative team look forward to working with him to advance the university’s many priorities including our commitment to achieve and maintain financial sustainability."

Dr. Bacon has held the position of provost and vice-president, academic affairs, at Concordia University since 2013. Prior to joining Concordia, he served as the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and associate vice-principal of research at Bishop’s University.

“I am thrilled to be offered this opportunity at one of Canada’s leading universities,” Dr. Bacon says. “There’s a real sense of excitement around Queen’s, with recent international achievements and incredible support from the alumni community. I look forward to working collaboratively with the students, faculty, staff and leadership team to build further on that momentum.”

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Bacon has continued to conduct research and teach in the field of cognitive neuroscience. His work explores the links between brain activity and perception in the visual and auditory systems. Dr. Bacon will assume a tenured appointment at the rank of professor in Queen’s Department of Psychology effective July 1, 2016.

Alan Harrison was appointed Queen’s provost and vice-principal (academic) in 2011. He will retire from the position when his term ends on July 31.

“I would like to recognize Alan's dedication to this position over the past five years. He has been tireless in execution of the office, and has been highly effective in advancing the university’s academic mission,” Principal Woolf says.

An advisory selection committee chaired by Principal Woolf, which was assisted by Boyden Global Executive Search, conducted a comprehensive search for the new provost. From a robust list of highly qualified candidates, the committee unanimously recommended Dr. Bacon for the position, which was approved by Queen’s Board of Trustees.