2026 CCDS Annual Meeting

Join us for the 2026 Canadian Council of Deans of Science (CCDS) Annual Meeting at ��ֱ�� of Kingston Ontario, located on the traditional Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek territories.

This event is on May 21-23, 2026.

This year’s focus is Future Proofing Faculties. We have invited a diverse set of speakers to address and lead discussions around the perils and possibilities we face today, including: artificial intelligence and its futures; ‘dual use’ research funding; confronting fiscal realities; internationalization and engagement; and EDII resiliency.

Confirmed speakers include:

Alex Usher (HESA) on lessons from within and outside Canada, hosted by Mark MacLachlan (UBC)
Nipun Vats (ISED) and Marc Fortin (McGill; former VP NSERC, ADM DND) on navigating the future of research in Canada, hosted by Kristin Baetz (UCalgary)
Mark Daley (UWO) and Mark Kingwell (UofT) on their vision for the future of emergent digital technologies and AI and their intersections with Faculties of Science, hosted by Maria DeRosa (CarletonU)

Save the date and stay tuned for the agenda and additional information.

We look forward to meeting you here!

Lodging, maps and travel information

Convenient stays with preferred rates at the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre

Set amidst the heart of ��ֱ�� historic University campus and located steps from Kingston's scenic waterfront and downtown attractions, the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre is where the CCDS conference will take place. It combines the amenities of a full-service conference and event centre with the elegance and charm of a boutique hotel.

Visit the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre

Preferred Rates

Queen’s Arts and Science has negotiated preferred rates with the Donald Gordon Centre, which will be available until April 21, 2026:

$175 plus tax per night – single occupancy standard Queen’s room.
$200 plus tax per night – double occupancy standard Queen’s room.

Accommodation includes 1 Queen size bed, full bath, WIFI, a hot breakfast, and surface level parking on a first-come, first-served basis.

To receive the preferential rate, please call the Donald Gordon Centre’s main reservation line at (613-533-2221 x 0) and note the group reservation #143295. Please note that guests cannot book online using the special group code.

Other Rates

Guests can book other room types at regular rates, either before or after April 21, based on availability.

Parking

Surface level parking at the Donald Gordon Centre on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking is free in all on-campus lots on weekends and after 5:00 pm on weekdays.
On weekdays before 5:00 pm, limited pay and display street parking is also available across campus.

How to get to Queen’s University Donald Gordon Centre

The closest airports to Kingston are l'aéroport de Montréal-Trudeau, the Ottawa International airport, and the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

You could either rent a car booked through CAUBO at a discount or take one of the following options:

Toronto Airport Bus Services

Take the new which connects Toronto-Pearson Airport with Kingston Airport and then take a taxi or Uber to the Donald Gordon Centre.
Take , which connects Toronto-Pearson Airport with Kingston and stops at Queen’s at the corner of Alfred and Union streets. You can then walk or take a taxi or Uber to the Donald Gordon Centre.

Trains

From Toronto, take the from the Airport to Union Station and then take to Kingston, at CAUBO discounted rates, and then take taxi or Uber to the Donald Gordon Centre.
From Montreal, take the airport shuttle or a taxi/Uber to the Via Rail station and then take the bus or another Taxi or Uber to Queen’s on arrival at the station in Kingston.*
From Ottawa, take a taxi or an Uber to the Ottawa VIA Rail station and then take another Taxi or Uber to Queen’s on arrival in Kingston.

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