Four University of Victoria scholars have been elected fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, one of the country's highest academic honours.
The Royal Society of Canada, the country's national academy of scholars, artists and scientists, recognizes exceptional contributions to research, the arts, humanities, sciences and public life.
The four UVic professors were recognized for work spanning history, astrophysics, law and Holocaust education and memory studies.
Zhongping Chen, a history professor, was recognized for his research on China and the global Chinese diaspora, including the history of Canadian Chinatowns.
His work uses transnational perspectives, archival research, fieldwork and digital methods to examine the experiences and interactions of Chinese communities.
Sara Ellison, a professor of astrophysics, was recognized for her research into galaxy evolution.
Ellison's work has contributed to the study of quasar absorption lines, the interstellar medium and galaxy mergers, with implications for understanding galactic chemistry, supermassive black holes and star formation.
Val Napoleon, a law professor, was recognized for her work advancing the study of Indigenous law and legal education in Canada.
Napoleon co-founded UVic's joint Juris Doctor and Juris Indigenarum Doctor program and is the founding director of the Indigenous Law Research Unit.
Charlotte Schallié, a professor in languages, linguistics and cultures, was recognized for her research into Holocaust education, memory studies and visual storytelling.
Her multidisciplinary work examines Holocaust memorialization and ways of working with survivors of genocide, including through literature, film and graphic narratives.
Schallié's research also explores how traumatic histories can be taught and represented in classrooms, museums and the media.
The four professors said the recognition reflects the contributions of their students, colleagues, collaborators and community partners.
