Prince George, BC – UNBC Associate Professor of History Dana Wessell Lightfoot has been named a founding member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Wessell Lightfoot is one of 91 researchers from across the country who will be presented as inaugural members of The College this week at the Royal Society of Canada’s annual general meeting in Quebec City on Nov. 21. She is only the second UNBC professor to be named to the Royal Society, joining Professor Emeritus of Political Science Alex Michalos. Inductees were selected after demonstrating a high level of achievement in the early stages of their career.

UNBC Associate Professor of History Dana Wessell Lightfoot.Download High-Resolution Image.

“I’m honoured to have been selected to become a member of The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists,” says Wessell Lightfoot. “The College is tasked with addressing issues of concern to new scholars and I’m looking forward to fostering a discussion around gender equality in academia.”

Wessell Lightfoot’s research interests include gender in medieval European history, with a focus on Spain.

“Dana’s research background and career accomplishments make her a deserving choice to be among the first group of academics to join The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists,” says UNBC President Daniel Weeks. “The Royal Society of Canada connects the country’s pre-eminent scholars and UNBC is proud to be an Institutional Member.”

The College was recently created as the fourth entity of the Royal Society of Canada, joining the Academy of the Arts and Humanities, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Academy of Science. Its mission is to address issues and concerns of new scholars, artists, and scientists.

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