End of Year 2021

Federation News

The Federation’s Year in Review: 2021 

Despite its many difficulties, 2021 was a year of growing, learning, and rising to new challenges for the Federation. From hosting our first virtual Congress and launching a new website, to advancing our work on equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization and releasing a new report on the value of our disciplines: check out our Year in Review: 2021 to see what we’ve accomplished together. 

Think Big: How the social sciences and humanities are building a better Canada

As we continue to emerge from the global pandemic, the Federation's newly launched report has a single, overriding message for Canada and its elected leaders: we must recognize and support the vital contributions of the humanities and social sciences. The knowledge and skills gained through these disciplines will help drive Canada’s COVID-19 recovery and contribute to a better future for people across the country and around the world. 

Read the report, engage with us on social media using #RoleOfHSS, and send your feedback to communications@federationhss.ca! 

Federation welcomes new Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization  

We are pleased to announce that Dhanela Sivaparan, PhDc (She/her/hers), has accepted the position of Senior Advisor – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) with the Federation. In her new role, Dhanela will be responsible for leading the development of a multi-year plan to implement the recommendations outlined in “Igniting Change,” the final report of the Congress Advisory Committee on EDID. Read the announcement. 

Career Corner: “Build your research impact” webinar materials available 

On November 10, this free webinar sponsored by University Affairs brought together a panel of experts to identify strategies and opportunities to grow the impact of HSS research. Did you miss it? Watch the video, read the transcript, and check out the presentations on our website.

Update on ASPP consultations  

The Federation is working with Johnston Research Inc. (JRI) to make changes to the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program (ASPP). Read the guiding principles of the review here. JRI will be conducting interviews and focus groups to facilitate this project. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at aspp-paes@federationhss.ca.  

We’re hiring!

The Federation currently has openings for an Event Planner, Event Coordinator, and Communications Officer to join the team. Interested? Learn more.

First Federation Member Forum 

On November 23, the Federation hosted its first Member Forum. Leaders of 33 member associations gathered virtually to discuss issues facing the HSS community; actions being taken to support equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization both at the Federation and in associations; and questions about upcoming Congresses. If you have questions, please contact membership@federationhss.ca. 

Congress News

Congress 2022: Participating associations announced and call-for-papers open 

From sociology and film, to food studies, environmental studies and everything in-between, Congress has something for everyone! Don't miss out on your chance to present your research at Congress in May – call-for-papers season is in full swing. Learn more about your association’s conference, find associations’ call-for-papers deadlines, or find a conference to attend by browsing the list of Congress 2022 participating associations.

Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA) call-for-papers is open

The 2022 meeting of the BCSA will take place virtually May 14-16, 2022 as part of Congress under the theme Black Solidarities, Thought and the Quest for Black Freedom. The conference this year is keeping the fight against anti-Black racism and freedom at the forefront. Drawing on the 2022 Congress theme of “Transitions”, it will not only consider the burden and beauty of change, but also to ground the meeting on the principles of respect and freedom. Find full submission and conference details on the BCSA website.

Registration for Congress launches in the New Year 

Congress 2022 registration opens in January: thirty-seven associations, thousands of attendees, unforgettable events… join us virtually for the 91st Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences! Whether you are a member of a scholarly association or not, there will be something for you. Keep an eye on the registration page and your inbox for registration news. 

Congress 2023 is coming to York University! 

Congress 2023 will take place at York’s Keele and Glendon Campuses in Toronto, where up to 10,000 HSS scholars, graduate students, and practitioners will come together and share their research face-to-face in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will support equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID), and, building on the first virtual Congress in 2021, feature virtual components to accommodate participants joining remotely. Read the full partnership announcement.

HSS Community News

Canada’s top social sciences and humanities researchers honoured for extraordinary achievements: This week, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the winners of the 2021 Impact Awards, the highest honour bestowed by SSHRC to the most accomplished social sciences and humanities researchers in Canada. Learn about the recipients.

More than 40 postsecondary institutions sign charter on anti-Black racism: On November 18, universities and colleges across Canada signed the historic Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education. The charter is a call to action to combat anti-Black racism and drive institutional change by identifying key barriers to Black inclusion and possible ways to address them. Learn more.

The struggle for gender equity in university leadership: Why are women in higher education institutions less likely to be appointed president? And why do so many have unfinished mandates? Julie Cafley looks into the trend. Read more.

SSHRC’s Storytellers Challenge: Is there a great SSHRC-funded project happening at your postsecondary institution? The Storytellers Challenge asks students to show Canadians, in up to three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world, and our future for the better — and the top 25 submissions are awarded $3,000. The deadline to submit your story is January 24, 2022 at 5pm, and the final winners will be revealed at Congress 2022. Learn more.

TikTok accelerator to support Indigenous creators: The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) has partnered with TikTok Canada to create a new online training program to empower up to 30 Indigenous content creators. YukonU research chair in Indigenous knowledge Jocelyn Joe-Strack was selected as a participant in the program. Read more.

U of G announces new Black Canadian Studies Program: Set to begin in the fall 2022 semester, the program will focus on the histories, cultural identities, and communities of Black people in Canada. Find out more.

How to write about research methods: How can you avoid a poorly-written methods section in your next manuscript? University Affairs' Dr. Editor column explains. Plus, building healthy writing habits is more important than ever as you complete your postgraduate studies. Emilie-Jade Poliquin explains pitfalls to avoid when writing. Read more (in French). 

CANNEXUS22: Canada’s Career Development Conference: Canada’s largest conference focused on career and workforce development will take place from January 24 to 26, 2022! The fully virtual event will host 150+ sessions on the latest research, policy, and practice for career development. Learn more and register here.