Catch the Top 25

People-focused research matters. How you tell its story is just as important.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) launched its second-annual Storytellers challenge this past November, asking postsecondary students from across the country to demonstrate—in three minutes or 300 words—how a SSHRC-funded research project at their institution is making a difference in the lives of Canadians.

The response was brisk, the competition fierce, and the number of submissions up more than 70 per cent from last year’s inaugural contest. This spring, a jury of communications experts selected 2014’s Top 25 Storytellers. These finalists took on key societal issues with their entries—from big data, immigration and aging, to education, foster care and genetically modified foods—highlighting how research in the social sciences and humanities helps us understand and improve the world around us.



And on May 26, the Top 25 will take the stage at Congress 2014 to present their stories at SSHRC’s Storytellers Showcase.



“Helping people explain what they do is a key part of research today,” said CBC journalist and Storytellers jury member Sandra Abma. “Those are the skills that the SSHRC Storytellers challenge promotes and rewards.”



Each of the Top 25 Storytellers received a prize of $3,000, registration and accommodation at Congress 2014 (courtesy of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences) and an invitation to participate in an exclusive research communications workshop.  At the Showcase, they will compete to become one of the Final Five Storytellers, who will be invited to give a featured presentation to a VIP audience this fall at SSHRC’s 2014 Impact Awards ceremony in Ottawa.



“With the Storytellers campaign, we recognize and promote excellence in research communication, and celebrate Canada’s next generation of researchers and leaders,” said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC.



“Through their compelling stories, the Top 25 show us how research in the social sciences and humanities generates insights into people and human behaviour, contributes to social innovation and helps to build a better future for us all. Their stories are truly inspiring.”



Follow SSHRC on Twitter (#SSHRCStorytellers) to keep up on the latest news, watch exclusive Storytellers video content and on May 26, come to the Storytellers Showcase at Congress 2014 to catch the Top 25 as they share the impact of SSHRC-funded research.



We hope to see you there!



The Storytellers Showcase

May 26, 2014 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Expo Space

Here are the Top 25 finalists, representing 12 postsecondary institutions from coast to coast: