Christiane Rousseau

A prolific researcher, Christiane Rousseau has dedicated herself to highlighting the key role that mathematics play in solving major societal challenges and attracting a new generation of scientists to the field. She is the driving force behind the «Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013» initiative, an international year of activities under the patronage of UNESCO, and UNESCO's International Day of Mathematics, celebrated for the first time in March 2020.

She obtained her PhD in 1977 from Université de Montréal, where she became a full professor in 1991 and headed the Department of Mathematics and Statistics from 1993 to 1997. She has held a dozen-odd administrative positions in various professional societies throughout her career, including as president of the Mathematical Society of Canada from 2002 to 2004 and vice-president of the International Mathematical Union from 2011 to 2014. From 2015 to 2020, she sat on the Scientific Board of UNESCO's International Basic Sciences Programme.

In addition to her career as a researcher and graduate student supervisor, Christiane Rousseau has worked in scientific outreach, giving numerous presentations to CEGEP students, and organizing math camps and public lectures. She has published no less than 60 articles for a college audience. 

A fellow of the American Mathematical Society since 2013, she has been recognized for her work with various awards and distinctions, including Association mathématique du Québec's Abel-Gauthier award for personality of the year in 1999 and 2013. In 2018, she was awarded the inaugural Bertrand Russell Prize of the American Mathematical Society in recognition of her many contributions furthering human values and the common good through mathematics. That same year, Rousseau was named a Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society. 

Université Laval is awarding an Honorary Doctorate in Mathematics to Christiane Rousseau for her role in advancing the discipline and highlighting its contributions to society.