Biographical Notes – Elizabeth Cannon

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is president emerita of the University of Calgary after serving as president and vice chancellor from 2010 until 2018. Prior to her term as president, Dr. Cannon was dean of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.

An expert in geomatics engineering and a Professional Engineer, Dr. Cannon’s research has been at the forefront of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) since 1984 in both industrial and academic environments. Dr. Cannon’s work has been recognized with many national and international honours including the Johannes Kepler Award from the U.S. Institute of Navigation, a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Steacie Award, and the Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada.

Dr. Cannon is currently a member of numerous boards and advisory councils, and is a seed-stage investor, particularly in female-founded companies. In 1998, Dr. Cannon was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and in 2006 was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network. She has received five honorary degrees.

In June 2019, Dr. Cannon was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 2022 was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Dr. Cannon holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in mathematics from Acadia University, and a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and Doctorate in geomatics engineering from the University of Calgary.