Awards & Achievements
Excellence in Media Relations Award
2006 Recipient - Sébastien Grammond
Professor Sebastien Grammond joined the Civil Law Section in 2004 and immediately understood the importance of communications. He has greatly enhanced the University of Ottawa’s reputation since his arrival in responding to calls by the media to comment on news events. He did this in spite of a heavy course load, his research, and his numerous responsibilities as Vice-Dean of Research.
Professor Grammond makes it his duty to explain complex issues more clearly and to share his knowledge with the general public. For this reason, he is among those that the national and local media turn to when a well-informed legal analysis is sought.
From the crisis in Caledonia to the appointment of Judge Rothstein, decisions regarding freedom of religion to fishing rights, and power to vary clauses to linguistic rights—Professor Grammond has made himself available to answer journalists’ questions about the law. He has taken part in radio call-in shows and written popular newspaper articles. He has appeared on live television broadcasts and made himself available for radio-telephone interviews, no matter what the time of day.
Professor Grammond has made a particular effort to forge a presence in the French-speaking media in Quebec. His interactions with Quebecois media reveal an intellectual leadership that promotes the University’s image where it is crucial to be better known.
Likewise, Professor Grammond plays a leadership role amongst his colleagues. He encourages his younger colleagues to think of their “teaching” role in promoting legal values in society and meeting the informational needs of journalists and the public at large.