Arthur Ripstein and Douglas Stephan awarded Killam Prizes

February 3, 2021 by U of T News

University Professor of law and philosophy Arthur Ripstein and University Professor of chemistry Douglas Stephan have each been awarded the prestigious Killam Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts.

The prize recognizes select researchers who have achieved international scholarly eminence in their fields. Ripstein was recognized for his contributions to humanities and Stephan for his contributions to natural sciences.

A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and author of several influential books, Ripstein joined the University of Toronto’s Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Science 1987 and was jointly appointed to the Faculty of Law in 1999. He delivered the 2019 Tanner Lectures at UC Berkeley, one of the most prestigious lecture series in philosophy.

Stephan is the recipient of the 2019 John C. Polanyi Award, the 2019 E.W.R. Steacie Award, a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship, and a 2009 Killam Research Fellowship. He joined the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science in 2008 as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair after 25 years as a faculty member at the University of Windsor.

“The Killam Prize is an important recognition for these extraordinary University Professors whose research continues to make a profound impact on their fields, said University Professor Ted Sargent, vice-president, research and innovation and strategic initiatives. “One of the world’s leading legal and political philosophers, Arthur Ripstein is renowned for his scholarship in the history of philosophy, theories of justice, tort law and the law of war. Douglas Stephan’s game-changing discovery of a new class of catalysts led to the production of more sustainable plastics – and he continues to explore how chemistry can address such challenges as greenhouse gas remediation and energy efficient catalysis.

“The University of Toronto congratulates University Professors Stephan and Ripstein and thanks the Canada Council and the Killam Trusts for their support of our outstanding scholars.” 


Arthur Ripstein receives Killam Prize in humanities 

Headshot of Arthur RipsteinUniversity Professor of law and philosophy Arthur Ripstein has been awarded the prestigious Killam Prize for the Humanities by the Canada Council for the Arts.

The prize recognizes select Canadian researchers who have achieved international scholarly eminence in their fields. 

“The Killam Prize is one of the most distinguished recognitions a Canadian scholar can receive,” said University Professor Jutta Brunnée, dean of the Faculty of Law. “Professor Ripstein has made innumerable, signal contributions to legal thought and philosophy, and so it is fitting that the Canadian Council for the Arts has chosen to recognize him with this most prestigious honour.” 

A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and author of several influential books, Ripstein joined U of T’s Department of Philosophy in 1987 and was jointly appointed to the Faculty of Law in 1999. 

“Arthur Ripstein is one of the most important legal and political philosophers in the world. The Killam Prize could not have gone to someone more deserving,” said Martin Pickavé, chair of the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Over the last 35 years, Arthur has crafted an impressive and hugely influential body of work while at the same time inspiring many students in law as well as in philosophy by his outstanding presence in the classroom.”

The Killam Prize is “such a high honour,” Ripstein said. “To be recognized for an academic career working in two disciplines – I am thrilled and humbled.”


Douglas Stephan receives Killam Prize in natural sciences

Headshot of Douglas StephanUniversity Professor Douglas Stephan of the University of Toronto's Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science is one of this year’s Killam Prize winners

Presented by the Canada Council for the Arts, the awards recognize select Canadian researchers who have achieved international scholarly eminence in their fields.

Stephan’s discovery of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) is internationally recognized for its wide-ranging impact on nearly every aspect of chemistry research, particularly in the context of drug development, chemical production, renewable energy and sustainability. 

“The chemical concept of frustrated Lewis pairs is actually quite simple,” said Stephan. “It’s unexpected and surprising, but remarkably simple. It is this simplicity that provides implications across the discipline permitting developments in organic synthesis, materials and polymer chemistry as well as catalysis.” 

The recipient of the 2019 John C. Polanyi Award, the 2019 E.W.R. Steacie Award and a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship, Stephan also received a Killam Research Fellowship in 2009.

“The underlying theory of Lewis acid-base pairs, in which a Lewis acid interacts with a Lewis base, is considered to be a central concept of chemistry,” said Rob Batey, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry. “It’s essential for the understanding of chemical reactivity and bonding, and as such it is taught at the high school level and beyond.”

Previous Killam Prize winners at U of T include University Professors John Polanyi and Paul Brumer of the Department of Chemistry, as well as University Professors Barbara Sherwood Lollar of Earth sciences and Molly Shoichet of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, both of whom are affiliated with the Department of Chemistry.

“Looking at the list of previous winners, I am humbled to have our work included with the work of such exceptional people,” Stephan said. “I am also so very grateful to my colleagues who have been so gracious in supporting me.” 

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