Professor Kent Roach, Wilson-Prichard Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, was awarded an esteemed Trudeau Foundation Fellowship today, worth $225,000, in recognition of his outstanding scholarly and pro bono contributions in constitutional, human rights and anti-terrorism issues.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is an independent, non-partisan charity established in 2001. Its Fellowships are awarded annually to prominent researchers and thought leaders who make meaningful contributions to the world’s social issues in four key areas: human rights and dignity; responsible citizenship; Canada in the world; and people and their natural environment.
A world-renowned legal expert, Roach has shared his expertise with countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Indonesia and Kenya, has acted as pro bono counsel to interveners in 13 groundbreaking Supreme Court of Canada cases, and has worked on notable commissions of inquiry: Ipperwash, Arar and Truth and Reconciliation. In addition, Roach was the research director for the Goudge Inquiry into Forensic Pathology and the Air India bombing inquiry. His current scholarly focus is on comparative constitutional remedies, counter-terrorism and wrongful convictions.
“Professor Kent Roach has made outstanding contributions to some of the most critical scholarly and public policy debates of our time. As one of Canada’s most dedicated, thoughtful and creative academics, he has helped shape Canada’s place in the world with his abiding commitment to improving respect for human rights and dignity, and responsible citizenship,” says Professor Mayo Moran, dean of the Faculty of Law. “We are so thrilled he has received one of this country’s most important research awards.”
Professor Paul Young, U of T vice-president of research, says: “Congratulations to Professor Roach. I’m delighted that his scholarship is being recognized with such a prestigious honour. Trudeau Fellowships celebrate researchers who are engaging with the challenges of their times. Professor Roach’s work, which has examined everything from the Supreme Court to terrorism to our constitution, exemplifies this spirit of engagement as it helps us understand the history and institutions that shape our lives.”
Roach has authored 12 books, including the award-winning The 9/11 Effect: Comparative Counter-Terrorism, and numerous articles and chapters. His texts on criminal law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are used broadly. He plans to use the Trudeau Fellowship to research comparative perspectives of miscarriages of justice, wrongful convictions, and constitutional remedies.
Read the Trudeau Foundation media release.
Read our Q & A with Prof. Roach.
