Dal profs inducted into Royal Society

Jocelyn Downie is a member of the Royal Society of Canada's expert panel on end of life decision making. (Nick Pearce Photo)

For Jocelyn Downie, induction into the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) means much more than “a lovely pin” and sitting down to a fancy dinner at the National Gallery of Canada.

The Dalhousie professor regards it as a challenge: “to step it up” and “to actively engage in public discussions of issues of importance in our world.”

“As professors, we have a responsibility for engagement,” explains Dr. Downie, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy.“We have the extraordinary privilege of tenure, which means we’re safe; we have the time and the security to stand up and engage in discussion for the public good.”

On Saturday, Dr. Downie, professor with the Faculties of Law and Medicine at Dalhousie, and Harold Robertson, professor emeritus of pharmacology with the Faculty of Medicine, were welcomed into the prestigious society. At the same time, Canada’s new Governor General David Johnston was inducted in the RSC as an honorary fellow in in recognition of his leadership as a former president of several universities, most recently the University of Waterloo, and his "outstanding contributions to Canadian scholarship."

Founded in 1882, the RSC is the senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and scientists. As Canada's national academy, the RSC recognizes academic excellence and outstanding contributions to Canadian intellectual culture, advises governments and organizations, and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada.

Reached in Belfast, P.E.I., Dr. Robertson says its an exciting time to belong to the RSC as it goes through a period of “renewal and increased activity,” transforming from an old boys’ network to an esteemed organization which is sought out for advice and guidance. “There’s so much in modern society that scientists need to comment on,” he adds. 

Dr. Robertson is engaged in research into the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, serves on the peer review committee of the Parkinson Society Canada.  He is also involved in several clinical trials for treatment for Parkinson’s and is a member of Dal’s Brain Repair Centre.

“In addition to discovering new facts, science has to make a difference," says Dr. Robertson. "Hopefully, my work will make a difference for people with Parkinson’s.”

Including Drs. Downie and Robertson, there are now 24 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada at Dalhousie University.

"It is with great pride that Dalhousie has two new members," says Martha Crago, Dalhousie's Vice-President Research. "Through their membership, they and their knowledge will become available through the new Royal Society outreach programs to Canadian society, extending the contribution of Dalhousie's  excellent professors across the country."

LINK: Royal Society of Canada