In recognition of 25 years of unwavering dedication to the academy, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) has named Hédi Bouraoui, professor emeritus and writer in residence in the Department of French Studies (DoFS) at York University, Life Member of the Society. Bouraoui’s commitment to studying Franco Canadian, as well as Mediterranean, cultures and enriching the reputation of Canada’s academic tradition is apparent in view of the breadth of his life’s work.
Following his 10-year tenure as master of Stong College, Bouraoui was named Chair of the DoFS where he founded the Canada-Mediterranean Centre, to which he continues to contribute. He has also authored 15 novels – including Ainsi parle la Tour CN (2000), or Thus Speaks the CN Tower, which was short-listed for a Trillium Award – 12 critical essay collections and over 20 poetry books. In addition to researching and teaching postcolonial Francophone literature, Bouraoui also studied and instructed courses on contemporary critical theory.
Perhaps his crowning achievement, among a host of other awards, came in 2018 when Bouraoui was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. At the induction ceremony in 2019, Bouraoui was awarded alongside 105 other new appointees, eight of whom also had connections to York.
Ahead of his recent appointment, RSC Secretary Gary Libben said of Bouraoui, “as secretary of the Royal Society of Canada, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you for your 25th year as a member of the Royal Society of Canada.
“In recognition of this achievement, we are happy to give you the title of Life Member [or] Membre à Vie, which will permit you to enjoy all the benefits of membership without annual dues. Moreover, you will receive a rosette as Membre à Vie… I ask you to accept my sincere gratitude for your significant contributions to the academic world and hope you will accept the expression of my best wishes for your 25th anniversary as a Member of the Royal Society of Canada.”
Originally published in YFile,