The 2026 Travill Debates continue an esteemed annual tradition of spirited intellectual engagement held in honour of A.A. (“Tony”) Travill, a respected physician, educator, and passionate advocate of rigorous debate. Since their inception in 1997, these debates have brought together medical students and faculty to thoughtfully and respectfully argue opposing sides of timely and provocative propositions relevant to medicine, science, and society.

 

Each year, chosen debaters explore the complexities of a compelling motion in a structured format that values clarity, evidence, eloquence, and wit, before an engaged audience. More than a contest of ideas, the Travill Debates celebrate the enduring importance of critical thinking, respectful discourse, and the shared pursuit of knowledge at Queen’s University.