This prestigious recognition celebrates our researchers’ work, which advances social justice, deepens understanding of multilingualism, strengthens trust in science, informs international policy and supports child and family well-being.
The Royal Society of Canada and the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists recognize outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement across the country. This recognition comes as the University of Ottawa prepares to host the RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement, a national conference taking place November 12 to 15.
The new honourees join more than 140 uOttawa researchers already recognized by the RSC, highlighting the University’s place as Canada’s only bilingual research-intensive university and the national and international reach of a research community committed to advancing knowledge and addressing complex societal challenges.
Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada
Marie-Eve Sylvestre
Faculty of Law
Marie-Eve Sylvestre examines how legal systems affect people experiencing homelessness, poverty and marginalization. Her work has helped shape conversations about public space and social inequality, informing legal scholarship, public policy and community-based approaches to justice in Canada and beyond. Sylvestre has served as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa since July 2025. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to justice, equity and research that shapes public policy, creates meaningful impact in communities and helps address today’s complex challenges.
“My career as a researcher in law, fuelled by exchanges with students, colleagues and partners, has allowed me to contribute to thinking about public spaces, social inequality and community-based approaches to justice. This recognition from the RSC strengthens my belief in the essential nature of research in shedding light on public policy, fostering dialogue and contributing to a more just society.”
“This recognition from the RSC strengthens my belief in the essential nature of research in shedding light on public policy, fostering dialogue and contributing to a more just society.”
Marie-Eve Sylvestre
— President and vice-chancellor, University of Ottawa
Juana Liceras
Faculty of Arts
Juana Liceras has advanced studies on how children and adults acquire, process and maintain multiple languages. Her research has influenced the study of bilingualism, second-language learning and heritage languages, helping to inform the ways multilingualism is understood in increasingly diverse societies.
“My research investigates how languages are represented in the multilingual mind, how they influence each other and what is the importance of a multilingual education in individuals with genetic disorders.”
Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists
Kelly Cobey
Faculty of Medicine and University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Kelly Cobey examines how scientific research is designed, conducted, reported and evaluated. Her work advances transparency, reproducibility and responsible research practices, helping strengthen the quality of research and support public trust in science.
“Science has an enormous impact on people’s lives. My work is driven by the principle that we need to do science well to ensure that research is rigorous, transparent, community-informed and trustworthy.”
Marie-Eve Desrosiers
Faculty of Social Sciences
Marie-Eve Desrosiers’ work is at the nexus of politics and security. It has looked at how the decline of democracy globally and the rise of authoritarian politics leads to social injustice, domestic and international instability, and renewed geopolitical competition. Desrosiers’ research has helped inform international policy discussions on how to defend pluralist politics and foster the conditions that shape more stable and just institutions.
“For me, my appointment is a springboard to promote my work on government and democratic resilience but, in particular, to support dialogue in Canada on the need to defend our democratic institutions and human rights here and abroad.”
Nicole Racine
Faculty of Social Sciences
Nicole Racine studies how adversity, trauma and family experiences shape mental health, development and well-being. Her research supports initiatives that strengthen care for familiesand promote healthier outcomes for young children and youth.
“I’m grateful to the colleagues, community partners and families who make this work possible, and proud to contribute to a field that supports children and families.”
The election of these researchers to the Royal Society of Canada and its college emphasizes the breadth and strength of research excellence at the University of Ottawa. Through their contributions, our researchers are advancing knowledge, shaping public policy and practice, and helping address some of the most pressing challenges we face today.