Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada was established in 1882 by an act of Parliament, modeled on the Royal Society of London and the Institut de France, to encourage scholarly excellence and to advise governments on matters of public policy. Its first president was the geologist Sir John William Dawson, and early members included prominent figures such as the poet Charles G.D. Roberts and the physicist Sir Sandford Fleming. The Society's mandate has evolved to include recognizing exceptional achievement, promoting a culture of knowledge, and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. It publishes the journal Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada and issues reports on topics ranging from climate change to artificial intelligence.

Fellows are elected annually through a rigorous peer-review process, with new members inducted at the Society's annual general meeting. The three academies reflect the breadth of Canadian scholarship: the Academy of Arts and Humanities covers literature, music, and the visual arts; the Academy of Social Sciences includes economics, law, and political science; and the Academy of Science spans the natural and applied sciences. In 2014, the RSC launched the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists to recognize mid-career researchers, with members serving a seven-year term. The Society also awards numerous medals and prizes, including the Sir John William Dawson Medal for interdisciplinary research.

The RSC provides independent expert advice to governments and organizations through its standing committees and task forces. Its reports have influenced policy on such issues as the state of Canada's freshwater resources, the future of the Arctic, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. The Society also organizes public lectures, symposia, and the annual Celebration of Excellence, which showcases the work of new Fellows. Through its Faces of the RSC initiative, it highlights the diversity of its membership and the societal relevance of their research.

Among the RSC's lesser-known activities is its role in the creation of the National Research Council of Canada in 1916, following a recommendation by the Society. The RSC also administers the Bank of Canada Fellowship and the Lorne Pierce Medal for Canadian literature. A notable quirk: the Society's official seal includes the Latin motto Deo et Patriae (For God and Country), reflecting its Victorian origins. The RSC has also been criticized for a historical lack of diversity, a issue it has addressed through recent equity initiatives. In 2020, it issued a formal apology for the exclusion of Indigenous scholars from early membership.

Fellow

An elected member of the Royal Society of Canada, recognized for outstanding scholarly or artistic achievement.

College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

A body within the RSC for mid-career researchers, elected for a seven-year term.