This annual lecture features a discussion of some of the greatest challenges facing the environment, and research that is contributing to addressing these challenges. This year's lecture is being presented by the RSC's 2023 Romanowski Award Winner,Abdelhamid Sayari.Professor Sayari is one of Canada’s most cited chemists for his pioneering work on porous materials and their environmental applications. He is internationally recognized for the discovery and development of recyclable materials for carbon capture with unparalleled efficiency. Thanks to the high selectivity and low regeneration energy of Sayari’s proprietary materials, his invention is poised to become the leading technology for CO2 capture with direct implications on greenhouse gas effect and global warming.

In 2025, Canada will adopt a new open access policy, to be implemented by its three federal funding agencies. This development will mark a major turning point for academic publishing, both nationally and internationally.

What immediate and long term impacts will these upheavals have on Canadian researchers? And how can stakeholders take action to encourage more equitable and sustainable open access?

Experts from the field will share their insights and discuss with participants at this bilingual meeting, offering a thorough reflection on the risks and opportunities of this (r)evolution.

Across the globe, climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme wildfires and release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere: “the warming is feeding the warming”. In 2023, Canada experienced the worst wildfire season in recorded history, 15 million hectares burned, millions were affected by wildfire smoke, thousands were displaced, many people lost their homes, and ecosystems already under threat were disrupted.

British Columbia is on the frontlines of this fire story, it is a living lab where the challenges and solutions are being confronted, and researchers, practitioners, and communities are coming together to ask: how do we co-exist with wildfire? Transdisciplinary research, collaboration across Western and Indigenous knowledges, and commitment to decolonial landscape management practices are key.

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) – a research network comprising Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, and University of Victoria – has been funding and coordinating wildfire research regionally and internationally for many years. This session will bring leading researchers and practitioners together in conversation to share their insights and reflections. This interactive dialogue will focus on the importance of ‘good fire’ on the landscape and the shifts in perspective, policy, and planning that is required to create a new narrative that allows us to collectively navigate risk, recovery, and the future of climate and wildfire.

For a backgrounder on wildfire and climate issues, please watch the PICS Wildfire Carbon video here

This ceremony welcomes new Members of the College in a format that showcases the interdisciplinary character of the College.

Join us to celebrate the Class of 2024!

This ceremony welcomes new RSC Fellows into the RSC. During this event, new Fellows sign their names into RSC’s original and historic Charter Book and are presented with a Diploma and RSC lapel pin.

Celebrate the Class of 2024 and raise a glass in honour of the new RSC Members, Fellows and Award Winners.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the membership elects RSC Board of Directors, reviews the RSC’s financial statements, and considers proposed amendments to the bylaws.

Meetings of the Academy provide an opportunity for members to receive a report from the Academy leadership about the selection process leading to new members, and to strategize next steps in inclusive excellence.

Meetings of the Academy provide an opportunity for members to receive a report from the Academy leadership about the selection process leading to new members, and to strategize next steps in inclusive excellence.

Meetings of the Academy provide an opportunity for members to receive a report from the Academy leadership about the selection process leading to new members, and to strategize next steps in inclusive excellence.

Meetings of the RSC College provide an opportunity for members to receive a report from the College leadership about the selection process leading to new members, and to strategize next steps in inclusive excellence.

Seeking guidance regarding the nomination process for Fellowship, the College and Medal & Awards? University administrators as well as members are welcome!

Lightning talks offer a rapid dive into deep insights, each lasting just ten minutes! New and current Members from diverse disciplines and generations present their work.

Each year the RSC presents a series of prestigious awards and medals to honour individuals selected for their exceptional contributions.