Nancy Olivieri, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Toronto, was awarded the Milner Memorial Award at the November 2001 CAUT Council meeting.

The award was established by CAUT in honour of James Milner, a former chairperson of the Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee. It recognizes a distinguished contribution to the cause of academic freedom and is given for actions undertaken on behalf of academic freedom, or writings which contribute significantly to an understanding and strengthening of academic freedom in the Canadian community.

Olivieri, a distinguished researcher and clinician, has spoken widely and become a significant advocate for academic freedom. She has courageously used her own case as an example for others of the dangers in commercialization of scientific research.

There have been only eight awards made since Bora Laskin received the first in 1971.