Forest ecologist Suzanne Simard to receive honorary degree
Due to the recent passing of a close family member, Dr. Suzanne Simard will be unable to attend this event, scheduled for June 12. The event has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.
Recently named to Time’s 100 most influential people 2024 list – in the icon category – Suzanne Simard, UBC professor and leader of The Mother Tree Project will also be named Royal Roads University’s Honorary Doctorate recipient at a future convocation ceremony.
An honorary degree is the university’s highest honour awarded to people of merit who reflect Royal Roads University's vision and values, and have achieved a significant record of success and community service.
Simard, known for researching forest renewal practices that protect biodiversity against climate change, has been published widely, with over 200 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Ecology, and Global Biology. She is also editor of the book Climate Change and Variability.
Her book, Finding the Mother Tree, brings us into the intimate world of trees, exploring the ways in which trees learn and adapt their behaviors, remember the past, demonstrate agency over the future, and cooperate with a sophistication typically ascribed to humans.
“Suzanne Simard’s work shines a spotlight on the complexity and interconnectedness of our forests,” says Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University. “Her work shows the importance of conservation efforts and preserving the ecology and biodiversity of our natural world. We admire her commitment to climate action and aspire to emulate this passion in our own climate action efforts.”
Simard’s research has been communicated broadly through TED Talks and TED Experiences, as well as articles and interviews in The New Yorker, National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, NPR, CNN, CBC, and many more. Her sold out Changemakers Speakers Series event captivated a Victoria audience in 2023.
Read or watch more with Dr. Simard:
RRU Changemakers Speaker Series Suzanne Simard presentation
RRU News profile Suzanne Simard