UVic Profs Honoured by Royal Society

Once again the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the country’s senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, is recognizing the contributions made by University of Victoria researchers.

UVic sociologist Dr. Cecilia Benoit is the winner of the RSC’s Award in Gender Studies. The bi-annual award certificate recognizes significant contributions by a Canadian scholar in the humanities and social sciences to furthering the understanding of issues concerning gender.

Benoit has conducted sociological research of major interest to scholars, policy makers, health and social care providers for almost 30 years. Her research program, beginning with her pioneering research on the gendered underpinnings of maternity care systems in democratic societies, has consistently been sensitive to the way that intersections of gender, class, and ethnicity matter in the Canadian context. Working with many formal and informal community organizations she has helped to develop strategies to reduce gender inequalities in our society and promote the health and well-being of vulnerable groups. For more information about Benoit visit http://communications.uvic.ca/edge/street-youth.html and http://web.uvic.ca/~cbenoit/.

UVic chemist Dr. Reg Mitchell is the winner of the RSC’s McNeil Medal. The medal is awarded to a candidate who has demonstrated outstanding ability to promote and communicate science to students and the public within Canada. The annual award consists of a bronze medal and a cash award of $1,500.

Mitchell, also known as “Dr. Zonk”, is an internationally recognized chemist, teacher and communicator. In the area of awareness of science, his principal audience is young people and his chemistry “magic show”, experienced by more than 30,000 BC students to date, is legendary. Mitchell’s citation describes his contribution this way: “whenever chemistry issues are making headlines he is sought after as a source of information.” For more information about Mitchell visit http://ring.uvic.ca/00apr07/chemistry.html and http://ring.uvic.ca/01mar02/page8a.html.

For more information about RSC go to www.rsc.ca.

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Media contacts

Maria Lironi (UVic Communications) at (250) 721-6139 or lironim@uvic.ca

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Keywords: uvic, profs, honoured, royal, society


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