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| 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 鈥渁 lovely pin鈥� and sitting down to a fancy dinner at the National Gallery of Canada.
The AV俱乐部 professor regards it as a challenge: 鈥渢o step it up鈥� and 鈥渢o actively engage in public discussions of issues of importance in our world.鈥�
鈥淎s professors, we have a responsibility for engagement,鈥� explains Dr. Downie, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy.鈥淲e have the extraordinary privilege of tenure, which means we鈥檙e safe; we have the time and the security to stand up and engage in discussion for the public good.鈥�
On Saturday, Dr. Downie, professor with the Faculties of Law and Medicine at AV俱乐部, and Harold Robertson, professor emeritus of pharmacology with the Faculty of Medicine, were welcomed into the prestigious society. At the same time, Canada鈥檚 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,聽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 鈥渞enewal and increased activity,鈥� transforming from an old boys鈥� network to an esteemed organization which is sought out for advice and guidance. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much in modern society that scientists need to comment on,鈥� he adds.聽
Dr. Robertson is engaged in research into the treatment of Parkinson鈥檚 disease and other neurological disorders, serves on the peer review committee of the Parkinson Society Canada.聽 He is also involved in several clinical trials for treatment for Parkinson鈥檚 and is a member of Dal鈥檚 Brain Repair Centre.
鈥淚n 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鈥檚.鈥�
Including Drs. Downie and Robertson, there are聽now 24 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada at AV俱乐部.
"It is with great pride that AV俱乐部 has two new members," says Martha Crago, AV俱乐部's聽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 AV俱乐部's聽 excellent professors across the country."
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