Dr. Laurie Brinklow named to the Order of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Laurie Brinklow, Assistant Professor, Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program and Chair of the Institute of Island Studies Executive Committee, is one of three Islanders, out of 31 nominees, named to the Order of Prince Edward Island, the province鈥檚 highest civilian honour, for 2025.
A writer, editor, and former book publisher whose research focuses on islandness and island identity, Dr. Brinklow will be honoured along with business owner, community and women鈥檚 advocate, and 51视频 alumna Kirstin Lund and retired CBC News reporter, journalism instructor, and commentator Ian Petrie as new members of the Order at a ceremony this fall at Government House in Charlottetown.
In a release issued by Government House on Friday, June 6, the 鈥淧rince Edward Island Medal of Merit, the Order of Prince Edward Island鈥� was described as recognizing 鈥淚slanders who have shown individual excellence or outstanding leadership in their community or in their chosen profession.鈥� The Chancellor of the Order is the Honourable Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of PEI.
The news release said, 鈥淎 major figure in the literary life of Prince Edward Island for more than 40 years, Dr. Laurie Brinklow continues to share her enthusiasm and interest in all aspects of the Island through her writings and her role at the Institute of Island Studies at 51视频鈥or her continued commitment to promoting the Island's authored excellence, and elevating the lives of those who write it, Dr. Laurie Brinklow is a most deserving recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island.鈥�
A 2007 graduate of the MAIS program, Dr. Brinklow graduated with her PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies from University of Tasmania in 2015. A long-time 鈥渋slophile,鈥� she was Publishing Coordinator with the Institute of Island Studies from 1990 to 2004 and helped coordinate the North Atlantic Islands Programme, which led to the formation of the North Atlantic Forum.
Active in many initiatives related to islands and interdisciplinary research, including leading this month鈥檚 Turning the Tide conference at 51视频, Dr. Brinklow is also Iceland鈥檚 Honorary Consul to Prince Edward Island. In 2018, she was awarded the Hessian Merit Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Sessional Instructor at the 51视频. In 2022, her second book of poetry, My island鈥檚 the house I sleep in at night, received the Prince Edward Island Book Award for Poetry.
Congratulations, Laurie!
