What is the RSC?

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) is the senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and scientists.  It is Canada’s national academy.  The primary objective of the RSC is to promote learning and research in the arts and sciences.  The RSC consists of nearly 2000 Fellows, men and women who are selected by their peers for outstanding contributions to the natural and social sciences, in the arts and in the humanities.

As Canada’s national academy, the RSC exists to recognize academic excellence, to advise governments and organizations, and to promote Canadian culture.

Raison d’être

National academies are cultural institutions with three principal responsibilities.  The first responsibility of a national academy is to recognize excellence.  Most national academies do this through the election of Fellows and the presentation of awards.  The second responsibility of a national academy is to provide expert advice on matters of national interest or urgency.  The third responsibility of a national academy is to promote its national culture abroad.  This occurs in a variety of ways, and includes service on multilateral agencies (G8, UNESCO, IAP), as well as exchange lectureships with other national academies and universities.