What is The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists?
The College constitutes a fourth entity alongside the three academies that form the Fellowship and our Institutional Members. Unlike the academies, it remains undivided, functioning as a single bilingual and multidisciplinary body. It is commonly referred to as the 'RSC College' or simply 'The College.'
2024 Presentation of New Members of the College
Mandate: “To gather scholars, artists and scientists at a highly productive stage of their careers into a single collegium where new advances in understanding will emerge from the interaction of diverse intellectual, cultural and social perspectives.”
Mission: “To address issues of particular concern to new scholars, artists and scientists, for the advancement of understanding and the benefit of society, taking advantage of the interdisciplinary approaches fostered by the establishment of the College."
Members of the College
Members of the College are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents who have held that status for at least three years, are within 15 years of their PhD, and have demonstrated exceptional accomplishment. Membership in the College is limited to a seven-year term.
Scholars can be nominated to the College by RSC Fellows, current College Members, or Institutional Members of the RSC. The criterion for nomination shall be excellence, which is understood to encompass the goals of diversity and inclusivity to which the RSC is committed. Learn more about the nomination process here.
Partners of the College
The College collaborates internationally with numerous young academies, including the Global Young Academy, and is a voting member of the International Science Council.
Activities of the College
- Attend and host College and RSC events, including RSC College Webinars.
- Serve on committees, working groups, and the College Council.
- Participate in regional, national, and international programming.
- Nominate peers and contribute to selection processes for awards and memberships, including those presented at the RSC’s Annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement.
- Provide advice to government and the public through reports, white papers, and more.
- Key portfolios include the At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA), Indigenous Initiatives, Francophonie, and more.
The RSC College Council
The College is governed by the College Council, which includes a President, a Past President or President-Elect, a secretary, and several Members-at-Large. See the current composition here. The President and Secretary also serve as members of the RSC Council, with the President additionally sitting on the Society’s Board of Directors.
The College President is elected by the Members. When elections are required, they take place in the spring or summer, and the newly elected officers assume their roles at the following Annual General Meeting of the College. The President serves a two-year term, preceded by one year as President-Elect and followed by a year as Past President.