News from the Social Sciences and Humanities

Blog
October 6, 2011

Milena Stanoeva

Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Industry Minister Christian Paradis reintroduced the copyright reform bill. Bill C-11 expands the list of uses that fall under fair dealing, although it also contains an anti-circumvention provision against digital locks, limiting how consumers can use digital media, like DVDs. Read CFHSS’s response to Bill C-32, the 2010 copyright reform act, here.

In a recent column in its publication, Perspectives, The American Historical Association urged history departments to encourage PhD students to pursue a career outside of the academe. They argue that history PhD students outnumber tenure-track openings, so history departments must change their view of non-academic careers as “alternative.” CFHSS’s pre-budget submission also urged for greater job opportunities for social sciences and humanities students.

Academic research can be difficult to translate accurately in mainstream media. Times Higher Education reports on an Australian website, theconversation.edu.au, where academics and seasoned journalists collaborate to create content on a variety of topics.

Stephen Saideman makes the case for the value of university research in the Globe and Mail.  He argues that teaching and research are not competing interests, but rather two parts of a whole.

Congratulations to Dr. Chad Gaffield, who was reappointed president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.