The ongoing research of four members of the Royal Society of Canada will be featured at an upcoming event being hosted by Queen’s University on Saturday, April 7.

Four researchers – three from Queen’s and one from the University of Ottawa – will provide insights into their work at the Eastern Ontario Regional Seminar of the Royal Society of Canada.

The schedule of presentation includes:

• 10 am: François Rouget FRSC, Department of French Studies, Queen's University – “Ronsard by Himself: The promotion of a poet in 16th century France
• 11 am: Guy Narbonne FRSC, Department of Geology, Queen's University –“The Emergence of Animals: A paleontological perspective
• 2 pm: Karin Hinzer - College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, Centre for Research in Photonics, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa – “Next Generation Solar Cells and Systems”
• 3 pm: George Lovell FRSC, Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University - Patrimony Lost: The whereabouts of Guatemalan documentary treasures”

For Dr. Rouget, Pierre de Ronsard, France’s foremost poet of his time, has been pivotal to his academic research dating back to his days as a student. By sharing his insights, he hopes that others will find joy in his works.

“During my university studies in Paris, especially in the field of Renaissance literature, I rediscovered Ronsard's poetry and thanks to Professor Daniel Ménager, my thesis supervisor, the world authority on this poet, I was able to explore the variety and depth of his works,” Dr. Rouget says. “I have now published five books on Pierre de Ronsard and I never stop discovering and appreciating unexpected aspects and dimensions of Ronsard's writing. My hope is that his poetry can be read and the pleasure of reading be shared.”

Apart from his own presentation, Dr. Rouget sees the seminar as an opportunity to meet with his RSC colleagues and become informed about the kind of research they are conducting.

That is one of the goals of the seminar, for presenters and attendees alike, explains Pierre du Prey, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Art History and a co-chair of the event with Mike Sayer, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy.

“Participants, including our four speakers each year, make fruitful contacts among each other and the audience; contacts which stretch between the four universities represented and which cross disciplinary lines,” says Dr. du Prey. “Overarching themes emerge as if by magic from the diverse papers and the discussion that follows them. In this way arts and science become reunited by the common quest for knowledge.”

The forum, hosted by Queen’s and actively encouraged by the RSC, gives New Scholars and Fellows of the Society, as well as members of the general public, a chance to benefit from discourse at the highest level. The presentations are open and free to the public and start at 10 am at The University Club

Queen’s will also host the Royal Society of Canada’s annual general meeting from Nov. 17-20. The Royal Society of Canada was established by an Act of Parliament in 1882 as Canada’s national academy. The organization helps promote Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment, and advises governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest.