RICHARD BOUDREAULT

Present Position

Professor, Polytechnique University–Montreal

Chapter Affiliation

Sigma Xi McGill

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I am honoured to be nominated and recognize that I represent a different type of leader than most candidates for the presidency before me. Being both an insider and an outsider to the organization, a repeat STEM entrepreneur, a dedicated scientist and engineer, and a successful leader of thought in what is called Big Science, I do not pretend to be your average Sigma Xi presidential candidate. I admit to liking solving problems with audacity and courage, seeing the big picture, and affirming the transition of organizations to their true purpose. I am dedicated to Sigma Xi’s members, stakeholders, and the public, and I am committed to making things work with people and for society at large.

We must be aware that this is a crucial and defining moment for our resilient Society; we face a threat to our lives and health, an economy that is built on technology and innovation but is fragile at the moment, multiple crises in financing and teaching methods in our institutions of higher education and research, and a widening gulf between those who trust science and those who don't understand it. I think this is Sigma Xi's moment as opportunities arise from crises, certainly not a time to cower or lose confidence. With one foot squarely in North America and another with the rest of the world, I am immersed in, and sensitive to, many models of the science enterprise and its nation-building role around the globe. For the third time in our history, we can lead in strengthening the foundations of scientific research in America and the World.

To do this, we need to renew our focus on fundamentals and that means strengthening chapters with vision and form, strengthening alliances, recognizing and rewarding innovation, providing practical support for investigators, and with our partners AAAS and Research!America, speaking out loudly to show that support for science is deep, broad, and existential to modern life.

I represent a long tradition in Sigma Xi of applied science, technology, entrepreneurship, and translational research, and this is a good time to remember that tradition of unity of science and scientific research. I graduated from the birthplace of Sigma Xi and I share the values and hopes imparted when it was formed. Sigma Xi is a multidisciplinary keystone between secular and politically agnostic sectors of scientific research, and we must continually renew our commitment to being Companions in Zealous Research.

I am committed to and representative of diversity among scientists as a Native American and will support and continue the initiates that were started several years ago to achieve more diversity in Sigma Xi and science generally. I know that inclusiveness brings fresh perspectives, new ways of looking at things, new opportunities, and enrichment to science and its model.

Science is indeed a global enterprise and Sigma Xi should be a truly global organization. However, we must be aware of the risks of becoming overextended. We must commit ourselves to strengthening Sigma Xi, its science diplomacy function, and its chapter-based system in the present, and then reach out over time to involve more and more dispersed international members, fanning the intensity, growth, and outreach of Sigma Xi from a position of strength.

As a proponent and strong supporter of the Sigma Xi Strategic Plan I will not only do everything possible to support and guide it, but also be transparent and accountable to the membership and stakeholders by keeping all abreast of our progress and obstacles in the way.

I will return to one of Sigma Xi's greatest achievements and commit to bringing up to date the landmark document Honor in Science with a new revision. The last version is dated 1986; it is time for a revision.

I am here to ask you to join me into tomorrow with a renewed vision for Sigma Xi!

RICHARD BOUDREAULT

Present Position

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