Perimeter Institute mourns the passing of Kirsty Duncan, a tireless champion for science in Canada and a public servant who believed deeply in the value of evidence, curiosity, and long-term thinking.
As Minister of Science and Sport, Kirsty Duncan played a pivotal role in strengthening Canada’s science ecosystem. She was a strong advocate for fundamental research, evidence-based policy, and creating the conditions that allow discovery to flourish.
At a time when science faced growing skepticism globally, she worked to rebuild trust in expertise, restore the role of science in public decision-making, and elevate Canada’s voice in international research and innovation. Her leadership helped advance a more open, collaborative, and future-oriented approach to science policy. She recognized the importance of bold, curiosity-driven inquiry alongside applied innovation.
At Perimeter Institute, and across the Canadian research community, Kirsty Duncan was widely respected for her thoughtful engagement with scientists and research institutions, and for her genuine interest in understanding the long arc of discovery. She understood that breakthroughs often emerge from unexpected places, and that investing in fundamental science is ultimately an investment in society’s resilience, prosperity, and shared future. The Canadian Science Policy Centre recognized her body of work with their top award in 2024, which was well earned and well deserved.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. On behalf of Perimeter Institute, and on behalf of the entire scientific community in Canada, we honour Kirsty Duncan’s legacy of principled leadership and her enduring commitment to science in the public interest.
About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
