Sophie D'Amours

26th Rector of Université Laval

2017–

Professor Sophie D'Amours is the first woman and the 26th person to hold the position of rector of Université Laval in Quebec City. Elected in 2017, she was re-elected for a second term in 2022.

Sophie D'Amours is a mechanical engineer. She holds a master's degree in business administration from Université Laval as well as a doctorate in engineering mathematics from École Polytechnique de Montréal. Having served as a professor in Université Laval's Department of Mechanical Engineering since 1995 and as the University's vice-rector of research and innovation from 2012 to 2015, she has a wide range of experience in higher education, research and university management, both home and abroad.  

Her career is marked by significant research contributions in business engineering and planning, particularly in the forestry sector. She has held a Canada Research Chair and an Industrial Research Chair from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and has led national and international initiatives in her field. She has been a visiting professor in many countries.

Sophie D'Amours is particularly proud of Université Laval's impact in responding to societal challenges and improving population well-being. She is committed to furthering that contribution by supporting innovation in higher education, fostering research partnerships, and increasing Université Laval's presence in the community and on the world stage.  

Committed and driven, Sophie D'Amours places a premium on teamwork, efficiency, and network collaboration. In addition to her duties at Université Laval, she is president of the Conseil de l’innovation du Québec and Co-President of the Québec Capitale Climat initiative. She also sits on the board of directors of Québec International and Le Diamant.    

At the national and international level, Sophie D’Amours sits on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States, the Fulbright Canada Program and serves on the Board of Directors of the Royal Society of Canada. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Universities Canada from 2019 to 2021 and sat on the board of the International Development Research Centre of Canada from 2016 to 2023. Sophie D’Amours also chaired in 2021-2022 the international evaluation committee of INRAE and served as vice-chair of the international evaluation committee of CNRS, on behalf of Hcéres in France.  

Sophie D'Amours has received numerous awards and distinctions during her career. She is an Officer of the Order of Québec, Officer of the Order of Canada, and Officer of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic. She is also a member of the Académie des Grands Québécois (social sector), a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry. With colleagues, she received the prestigious Brockhouse Canada Prize. She was also awarded the Prix Henri-Gustave-Joly-de-Lotbinière by Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec and the Harold Larnder prize for international distinction in operations research. 

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