UNBC researcher Dr. Sarah de Leeuw has been appointed as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Dr. de Leeuw, a Northern Medical Program and Geography Program associate professor, is one of 70 researchers from across the country who will be inducted at the Royal Society of Canada’s Celebration of Excellence weekend in November.

The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is focused on addressing issues and concerns of new scholars, artists, and scientists. Inductees into the College are selected after demonstrating a high level of achievement in the early stages of their career.

“It is one of the highest honours one can receive. When fellow researchers, especially those outside your discipline, recognize your work,” said Sarah. “I am excited to join the College and I look forward to generating dialogue around issues related to northern, rural, and marginalized geographies. I am interested in exploring the possibilities of what can happen when you bring artists and scientists together, when they consider each other’s’ works in their own disciplinary areas of specialty.”

Dr. de Leeuw’s areas of interest include the medical humanities and determinants of marginalized peoples' health.

“The breadth of Sarah’s work and her research achievements are very deserving of this honour and we are proud to celebrate her appointment to this important national body,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks. “Through their commitment to research excellence, our faculty are helping to lead advancements in knowledge across regional, national and global fronts.”

De Leeuw is the third UNBC professor to have been named to the Royal Society of Canada, of which UNBC is an Institutional Member. She joins Professor Emeritus of Political Science Alex Michalos and Associate Professor of History Dana Wessell Lightfoot.

The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is one of four entities of the Royal Society of Canada, which also include the Academy of the Arts and Humanities, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Academy of Science.