Leading Geography Professor at Trent University Elected to the Royal Society of Canada
Canada Research Chair Dr. Mark Skinner named to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists
New Canada research chair in rural aging, health and social care, founding director of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society, and leading international expert on the role of volunteerism in supporting older people – these are just a few titles that Dr. Mark Skinner holds, and today he adds one more to the list – member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists following an announcement made by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
Professor Skinner, a Geography professor in the School of the Environment at Trent, was among 80 new members named to the RSC today and only the second Trent faculty member to earn this prestigious honour.
“Dr. Skinner is an outstanding scholar who is addressing very important, policy-relevant topics of interest, both nationally and internationally,” said Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of Research and Innovation at Trent University. “It’s great to welcome a second Trent faculty member to the Royal Society College of New Scholars, and is yet another example of Trent University achieving exceptional heights as a leading research institution.”
As a Royal Society member, Prof. Skinner will work with other experts from across the country to provide guidance on issues of importance to Canadians, and promote Canadian achievements in the arts, humanities and sciences.
“Being named to the Royal Society of Canada is a tremendous honour and privilege,” said Prof. Skinner. “It brings with it much deserved attention to the importance of critically-informed, community-engaged aging studies and highlights the hard work we’re doing to make Trent University and the Peterborough region a leader in the field.”
Prof. Skinner’s research examines how rural people and places are responding to the challenges and opportunities of population aging, particularly the evolving role of the voluntary sector and volunteers in supporting older people and sustaining aging communities, and is internationally-recognized for his contributions to health geography, social gerontology and rural health. Prof. Skinner is also known for leading new fields of inquiry in gerontology with his co-edited books Ageing Resource Communities: New Frontiers of Rural Population Change, Community Development and Voluntarism, and Geographical Gerontology: Concepts and Approaches.
The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists was established in 2014 as Canada’s first national system of multidisciplinary recognition for the emerging generation of Canadian intellectual leadership. It comprises a fourth entity (along with the current three Academies) within the Royal Society, which itself was established in 1882. The members of the College are Canadians who, at an early stage in their career, have demonstrated a high level of achievement. The criteria for election is excellence, and membership is for seven years. Prof. Skinner was nominated by Trent University’s research office.
To learn more about other members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, visit: http://bit.ly/2cCc5tq
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca