-Established by the department in memory of professor emeritus C.E.S. (Ned) Franks, this initiative will join with The Political Studies Trust Fund to support students and enhance programs and infrastructure in the Department of Political Studies.

A professor emeritus in both the Department of Political Studies and the School of Physical and Health Education, Dr. Franks taught at Queen’s for 35 years, and was a leading expert on Canada’s parliamentary system. He died on September 11, 2018 at the age of 81.

In addition to more than 100 articles and chapters in books, Dr. Franks wrote or edited 14 books and monographs. He also wrote numerous influential op-ed pieces for newspapers and magazines and was asked by national and international media for his insight on important issues on the Canadian political agenda. In 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and, in 2004, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society awarded him its 75th Anniversary Medallion. In 2007 the Queen’s University bestowed its Distinguished Service Award upon Dr. Franks in recognition of his four decades of leadership and work on campus planning.