Federation news
EDID Initiatives Fund fall cycle open
The Federation is now welcoming submissions for the fall cycle of the EDID Initiatives Fund. This fund is intended as an opportunity for member associations to develop initiatives that advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID). Learn more.
New Policy Development Framework
In July, the Federation introduced the Policy Development Framework, a new mechanism to guide how we develop public policy positions on issues of importance to the humanities and social sciences community. The Federation will accept policy proposals from members on a rolling basis. Learn more.
Federation Pre-budget submission
On August 4, the Federation submitted its recommendations to the federal government’s pre-Budget consultations in advance of the 2024 Budget. Read the full submission.
Governor General’s Innovation Awards nominations
The Federation has been invited to nominate outstanding candidates from our community for the 2024 Governor General’s Innovation Awards, and we are seeking Federation members’ recommendations. Learn more.
Panel discussion at the Canadian Science Policy Conference
Mark your calendars! The Federation and Acfas will be organizing a panel discussion in French titled “Nouvelle loi, nouveau plan d’action pour les langues officielles : quelles avancées pour la recherche en français?” at the Canadian Science Policy Conference on November 15, 2023, at 10:30 am. Early bird rates start on September 4 and end on October 2. Register now.
Big Thinking Podcast news
Season 3 of the Big Thinking Podcast will air this fall. Until then, rediscover previous seasons.Big Thinking Podcast guest and topic suggestions can be submitted online.
Congress news
Congress 2023 highlights
Congress 2023 took place at York’s Keele and Glendon Campuses in Toronto from May 27 to June 2. Under the theme Reckonings and Re-Imaginings, 67 scholarly associations and over 10,000 scholars, graduate students, and practitioners in the humanities and social sciences gathered and shared their research. Read the highlights.
Congress 2024
Fifty-five associations - and counting - have officially confirmed their participation in Congress 2024 at McGill University in Montreal from June 12 to 21, 2024. Association organizers will be meeting at McGill on September 20 to kick off the planning cycle. The Planning Meeting will also explore the theme for Congress 2024, which we look forward to unveiling in the next few days.
HSS Community News
Our thoughts are with all those currently affected by the wildfires happening across Canada. In times of national crisis, the humanities and social sciences have a critical role to play. Below, scholars in our community are helping make sense of the wildfires’ devastation and impact.
As Canadian wildfire rage, Facebook’s news ban reveals the importance of radio – amid the wildfire crisis in the Northwast Territories and the August 16 order to evacuate its capital city, Yellowknife, the outcry over Meta’s Canadian news block has reached new heights. Read more.
Yellowknife fires: Evacuees will need culturally specific support services - As the mass evacuation of Yellowknife unfolds, we know from the Fort McMurray experience that social issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are real-life concerns impacting the evacuation experiences for thousand of Canadians. Read more.
How to incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion in your grant applications – All researchers should consider how to integrate sex, gender, and diversity into their day-to-day work. Read more.
It’s past time for Canada to fund graduate students and researchers properly – our future depends on it - In a rapidly changing world research universities are essential for ensuring that Canada had the knowledge and talent necessary to keep up. Read more.
Appointment opportunities at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada – The government of Canada has launched an open selection process to fill vacancies for the governing Council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Learn more.
Brain Drain in Canada – The Ottawa Science Policy Network, in collaboration with Support our Science are seeking your participation in their survey “Investigation into the Mobility of Canadian Graduate”. The aim of the survey is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the brain drain phenomenon. Fill out the survey.
Open Access survey – The federal granting agencies (SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR) announced a review of the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications. The granting agencies are launching consultations to inform the renewed Policy, which will be released at the end of 2025. We encourage you to complete their short, online survey.
The political battle over postsecondary education in Alberta – Alberta’s postsecondary education system is under siege, according to many within the province’s academic community. Now, with the re-election of the UCP, many people working and studying at Alberta’s universities are bracing for even more change. Read more.
A new era of research security – Canada is home to a great deal of world-class research, but the federal government and its security services are raising the alarm that the country’s combination of advanced technology, human talent and democratic society has made it an attractive target for foreign spies and their agents. Read more.
Universities Canada’s 2022 survey on institutional services for Indigenous Students and Reconciliation - Institutions are working to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, expand Indigenous programming, support Indigenous students and increase Indigenous representation in leadership roles across institutions. Read more.
Beyond the hype: how AI could change the game for social science research – With the emergence of advanced AI systems, the way social science research is conducted could change. Social sciences have historically relied on traditional research methods to gain a better understanding of individuals, groups, cultures and their dynamics. Read more.
Everything has (not) changed: artificial intelligence, teaching and learning - The higher education sector is working to understand the impact of widespread access to advanced AI technology. There are many benefits to AI software, and the scope of AI assistance can vary. Read more.