Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, York University to Host Canada’s Largest Academic Conference in 2023

News
November 9, 2021

Ottawa, November 9, 2021 – The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (the Federation) and York University are thrilled to announce that they will be partnering in 2023 to bring together the first in-person Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences since 2019.

Congress 2023 will take place at York’s Keele and Glendon Campuses in Toronto, where up to 10,000 scholars, graduate students and practitioners in the humanities and social sciences (HSS) 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.

“I am delighted to announce our partnership with York University, and excited to be planning our first, in-person Congress since 2019,” said Mike DeGagné, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Federation. “In a post-pandemic world, Congress will offer a unique opportunity for our community to discuss the critical role for the social sciences and humanities in addressing the challenges facing our communities, our country, and our world.”

“York University is looking forward to hosting the Congress 2023 – the largest gathering of academics, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in Canada. It is a great opportunity for us to profile our long-standing research strengths in the liberal arts and their central role in our commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University. “This conference has been the place where scholars discuss new ideas, challenge perspectives, and build partnerships that will shape the future as we tackle urgent global problems – from inequality to climate change – and collaborate on driving positive change across Canada and beyond.”

York’s chief ambassador for Congress 2023 will be Dr. Andrea Davis, who as Academic Convenor will liaise with faculty, students, administrators, and community partners to build an exciting Congress program. 

“I am pleased to take on this important role and look forward to collaborating with the Federation and York University colleagues and community members as we plan a meaningful and engaging conference,” said Dr. Davis. “There is an opportunity to set the stage for dynamic and thoughtful dialogue in 2023 that will inspire action.” 

Davis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at York University, where she teaches courses in Black Cultures of the Americas. Dr. Davis established and coordinates the Black Canadian Studies Certificate at York and is co-editor of the Journal of Canadian Studies. She is also former Chair of the Department of Humanities and former academic colleague on the Council of Ontario Universities. Davis’ first activities in her new role will be to finalize the theme for Congress 2023, which will be shared in the coming months. 

Congress 2023 will take place from May 27 to June 2, 2023. York University last hosted Congress in 2006.

For more information, visit www.federationhss.ca/congress2023.

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For more information, please contact: 

For conference and Federation-related requests

Camille Ferrier

Manager, Communications and Membership

Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

613-265-6993 

cferrier@federationhss.ca

For requests about York University

Sandra McLean

Senior Media Relations Officer

York University

416-272-6317

sandramc@yorku.ca 



About Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest academic gathering in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Now in its 91st year, Congress brings together approximately 70 academic associations that represent a rich spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, theatre, film studies, education, music, sociology, geography, social work and many others. More information at www.federationhss.ca/congress. 

About the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences  

The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. With a membership now comprising over 160 universities, colleges and scholarly associations, the Federation represents a diverse community of 91,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. The Federation organizes Canada’s largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together more than 8,000 participants each year. The Federation office is located on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation.

About York University

York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.