CFHSS

The Governor General’s Literary Awards recognize ASPP-funded books

christine — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:24:00 +0000

Jessica Clark Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to congratulate authors Sandra Djwa and Dominique Perron for qualifying as finalists for this year’s Governor General’s Literary Awards. Djwa’s book, Journey with No Maps: A Life of P.K. Page, published by McGill-Queen’s University Press, is a finalist in the English Non-Fiction category, and Perron’s book, L’Alberta autophage : Identités, mythes et discours du pétrole dans l’Ouest canadien, published by University of Calgary Press, is a finalist in the French Non-Fiction category.

The publication of both books was supported by the Federation’s Awards to Scholarly Publications Program.

About Journey with No Maps: “This is the first biography of P.K. Page, a brilliant 20th-century poet and fine artist, who becomes one of Canada's best-loved and most influential writers. The product of over a decade's research and writing, the book is both the captivating story of a remarkable woman and a major contribution to the study of Canada's literary and artistic history.”

About L’Alberta autophage: “This discursive analysis of stories of Albertan identity linked to provincial oil resources examines the way Canadian and Albertan media have presented the oil booms and busts, and how the Canadian oil industry has appropriated the parameters of the Albertan identity to suggest a close connection between community interests and the various groups exploiting its oil. To this end, the author compares the discourses on energy emerging from Quebec and Alberta, with references to popular culture and classical literature.”

The Awards to Scholarly Publications Program is a competitive funding program designed to assist with the publication of scholarly books on topics in the humanities and social sciences. Through this program, the Federation tangibly supports research dissemination and encourages excellence in humanities and social science scholarship.

Tags

Award to Scholarly Publications Program, Research

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ASPP

The Power of the Arts

christine — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 17:09:38 +0000

Jean-Marc Mangin Executive Director, Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

This weekend, Carleton University and the Michaëlle Jean Foundation held the first Power of the Arts National Forum. It was a resounding success. I have rarely taken part in a conference that resonated with so much energy and hope for our country. The Forum participants, consisting of artists, researchers, community workers, students and various health professionals, developed an action plan for the following themes:

Physical and mental health
Citizenship and democratic participation
Economic development and social enterprise
Cultural institutions and community integration
Public safety and access to justice
Community and urban renewal
Diversity and social inclusion
New technologies and social change

A speech by Antonia Maioni, President of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, stressed the civic and profoundly democratic character of social inclusion through the arts. She also discussed the implications of such an ethos and culture of engagement for all aspects of academic work (teaching, research, service, etc.).

Despite their shared historical roots, there remains a certain distance between social sciences and the arts. We must improve collaboration between the disciplines, between granting councils and with communities. Our future and communal well-being depend on it.

Photo: fieldtripp

Tags

Campus-community collaboration, Education, Social innovation

New Congress hashtag

christine — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 14:39:17 +0000

The 2013 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences was a huge success in terms of online engagement between attendees, the Federation, and our hosts at the University of Victoria. One of our key social media platforms was Twitter, and the #congress2013 hashtag became a valuable place to connect, share information, and discuss the ideas so abundant during the week. From June 1-8 we measured 7,600 tweets using #congress2013, and about 1,600 of those took place in just one day!

To visit #congress2013 now, however, is a different story. Currently, and even during Congress, the feed is also occupied by tweets about different events that use the same hashtag, as well as angry rants about US politics. The same applies for #congress2012, and every future Congress if we were to continue using this format. All these other tweets can make it difficult to find the information you want, and can make it harder for us to respond to your comments and questions in a timely manner. So we have an idea:

Let’s adopt a unique hashtag to represent the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences – one that won’t change from year to year, is unlikely to be used by anyone else, and is bilingual. Here’s our plan:

#congreSSH

Okay, ssh, let us explain. The two “S”s at the end of Congress become the start of an acronym for Social Sciences and Humanities. And since Twitter is not case sensitive, it works in French as well:

#congresSH (Congrès des sciences humaines)

Plus, without including the year, this hashtag uses up a smaller number of those precious 140 characters! And there will be no more confusion over whether it’s #congress2014 or #congress14.

We’ll have a place on Twitter that’s dedicated to our own discussions. Somewhere bilingual, and available all year round.

Let us know what you think by sending us a tweet at @ideas_idees.

Congress 2014 will take place at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario from May 24-30, 2014.

Tags

Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

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Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

SSH News: Power of the Arts, SSHRC webinars, and Bibliographical Society of Canada call for proposals

christine — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 18:05:39 +0000

Christine McKenna Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Can you believe it’s already the end of September? That was fast. The Power of the Arts National Forum is already upon us, and if you aren’t able to make it down to Carleton University you can still watch the plenary sessions live online. Federation President Antonia Maioni is providing a keynote on the last day of the conference, this Sunday, between 3 and 5 pm. You can also follow the action on Twitter.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council is hosting a series of webinars on October 2^nd and 3^rd to provide advice and information on their Partnership, Partnership Development, and Connection grants. No registration is required, and participants will have the opportunity to submit written questions at any time during the presentations. There will be sessions in both English and French on each day – visit our calendar of events for more information.

The Bibliographical Society of Canada released a call for proposals for their annual meeting taking place at Congress 2014 under the theme “Current Directions in Book History: Borders without Boundaries”. Submissions should include a one-page proposal, a brief biography of the author, and A/V requirements, and should be sent to proposals@bsc-sbc.ca by January 13^th, 2014. Visit their website for more information on topics and submission requirements.

And don’t forget – Big Thinking with Richard Hawkins is happening this Thursday, October 3^rd! Register here.

Tags

Big Thinking, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Research, SSHRC

Category

SSH news, SSHRC

SSH News: AUCC’s UniversityWorks, support for humanities research at McGill, and upcoming events

christine — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 19:56:55 +0000

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) launched a new website on Tuesday that features short videos highlighting how positive university experiences can lead to rewarding careers in the future. The website, called UniversityWorks, includes testimonials by graduates from across the country, each reflecting on their personal university experience and how it has impacted their transition into the world of work. Some of the topics discussed so far include internships, studying abroad, and the opportunities created by pursuing an arts degree, and AUCC is inviting other Canadian graduates to submit videos sharing their own stories.

McGill University has received $15 million in funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support scholarly research in the humanities, which will allow the Faculty of Arts to offer 12 two-year postdoctoral fellowships of $55,000 over the next six years. The Foundation offers grants in a number of areas, and in 2008 helped to establish the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in the Humanities at McGill. This renewed support is wonderful to see, considering a recent trend among other Canadian universities of funding cuts to humanities programs.

Registration for the Big Thinking lecture on October 3^rd with Richard Hawkins is still open, but seats are limited and moving fast! Click here for more information on his lecture, “Whither innovation? Moving beyond the buzzword” as well as to reserve your spot. The Power of the Arts National Forum at Carleton University is also coming up soon, and so is the World Social Science Forum in Montreal, Quebec. Check out our online calendar of events to stay up to date on lectures and conferences in the humanities and social sciences.

Tags

Big Thinking, Research

Category

Big Thinking, SSH news

Scientists stand up across Canada

christine — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 18:49:57 +0000

Christine McKenna Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

The sequel to last year’s Death of Evidence funeral procession took place on Monday as Canadian scientists rallied in 18 cities across the country to Stand Up for Science and its place in public policy. Hundreds arrived on Parliament Hill and (in the most orderly mob I’ve ever seen) gathered at the foot of the Peace Tower, many donning white lab coats and holding science-pun protest signs in the air. Dr. Katie Gibbs of Evidence for Democracy (E4D), the advocacy group behind the event, welcomed attendees and led a rendition of the scientists’ “nerdy chant,” which went:

What do we want?

Evidence-based decision making!

When do we want it?

After peer review!

This message is one of the key concepts behind the Stand Up for Science rallies, which were organized in response to federal funding cuts to scientific research programs and the suspected “muzzling” of government scientists. According to E4D, Canada’s science community is troubled by a recent trend in federal policy which prioritizes industry-focused scientific endeavours and disqualifies the value of basic science research. Though they don’t question the importance of targeted research and development, the scientists believe that innovation should not be pursued “to the detriment of basic research”, and that it is important to promote “evidence-based policy over policy-based evidence”.

Seven different speakers took to the podium at the Ottawa rally to air their concerns and encourage further political action, and Dr. John Stone (of Carleton University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) expressed his hope that “we won’t have to make this an annual event”. Stone also recalled a “golden age” of science in Canada, when many “world leading institutions” were established and led by scientists, and when “ministers used to regularly consult the people at the head of those institutions.” He also called on Canadians “of all political stripes” to lobby for science-based policy formation.

Dr. Kapil Khatter, a family physician and former Executive Director of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, referred to the impact of studies of asbestos, tobacco, and lead in gasoline as examples of how basic scientific research contributes to the public good. Co-founder of Evidence for Democracy Dr. Scott Findlay also addressed the crowd, suggesting that “science can help to sustain the values embraced by Canadians”. He encouraged Canada’s scientific community to become more proactive, but also to “consider the limitations of science, as there are challenges that Canadian society will need to address, for which science is necessary – but not sufficient.” To the Canadian public he urged, “Embrace your inner scientist… be skeptical, demand evidence, and when it’s given to you: consider it carefully.”

Other speakers at the rally included Dr. Béla Joós, associate professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Ottawa; Gary Corbett, president of The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; Jeremy Kerr, associate professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa; and Jessica McCormick, National Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students.

Tags

Federal budget, Federal policy, Research

SSH News: Imagining Canada’s Future, Big Thinking with Richard Hawkins, and the Power of the Arts National Forum

christine — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 19:23:22 +0000

Christine McKenna Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has released the results of their Imagining Canada’s Future initiative, which includes six future challenge areas likely to emerge as Canada moves through the next few decades in an evolving global context. Following a cross-Canada consultation period launched in 2011, the six challenges were designated as areas in which SSHRC believes it can and should make a difference with help from the Canadian social sciences and humanities research community. Visit their new web page for details on each of the six future challenges, and be sure to check out their short video about the outlook for Canada’s future. SSHRC will also be hosting two panel sessions on October 15th at the World Social Science Forum in Montreal, Quebec. More information on the panels is available here and here.

The 2013-2014 Big Thinking season will kick off on October 3 with Richard Hawkins, professor at the University of Calgary and Fellow of the Institute for Science Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa. “Whither innovation? Moving beyond the buzzword” will see Hawkins address the current innovation policies in Canada, and how these are at odds with what we know about innovation and what policy measures can promote it. This Big Thinking breakfast lecture will not be held on Parliament Hill, and instead will take place at HUB Ottawa. Registration is officially open – and it’s free!

The Power of the Arts National Forum is quickly approaching, and the Federation’s President Antonia Maioni will be providing a keynote address on the last day of the conference. The Forum seeks to bring national attention to the importance of the arts as tools for social change, and will see over 200 representatives from widely varying fields meet to discuss how quality of life in our society can be improved through the arts. Co-hosted by the Michaëlle Jean Foundation and Carleton University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the event will take place at Carleton University from September 27-29. Click here to view the program schedule.

Tags

CFHSS news, Big Thinking, Research, Social innovation, SSHRC

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Big Thinking, Federation News, SSH news, SSHRC

SSH News: CIBC report responses, volunteer at the World Social Science Forum, and the Royal Society of Canada names new fellows and award winners

christine — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 18:37:34 +0000

Last week saw the release of a report from CIBC about the current state of employment prospects for university graduates. Since then, discussions about the value of a university education have ramped up across the Canadian media, with many questioning the practicality of studying in disciplines associated with the liberal arts. In response, an article in the Globe and Mail suggests that universities should educate and employers should train, while another in the Huffington Post says we should blame unemployment on the job market, not universities. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share them with us on Twitter or Facebook.

The World Social Science Forum is currently seeking volunteers! A minimum of 12 hours over two days will be required, and volunteers will have free access to attend the Forum after completing their first shift. Those interested in participating can find more information and forms here, and requests for assignment to specific panels will be accommodated whenever possible. The World Social Science Forum takes place October 13-15, 2013 in Montreal, Quebec.

The Royal Society of Canada has elected 84 new Fellows, as well as announced the recipients of nine medals and awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in several fields of research and scholarship. This year's new Fellows will be inducted to the academies of the RSC during the Induction and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2013, held in conjunction with the RSC’s AGM at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta.

Also taking place at the RSC’s AGM this fall, the Federation and Brock University will host a Big Thinking lecture with Dr. Kevin Kee on November 15, 2013. In his lecture “Borders without Boundaries”, Kevin will discuss how technology can be harnessed to push the boundaries of teaching, bring the past to life, and foster academic-private sector partnerships. Dr. Kee is the Canada Research Chair for Digital Humanities at Brock University.

Tags

Education, Research

Category

SSH news

The 2013 Canada Prize winner videos are now online!

christine — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:35:23 +0000

Publishers are currently submitting their nominations for the 2014 Canada Prizes, the Federation’s annual award to the best scholarly books in the humanities and social sciences that have received funding from the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program. Each year we feature the winning authors in a series of short videos, where they discuss their award-winning works and the fascinating research that went into them. Below are the official videos highlighting the winners of the 2013 Canada Prizes.

Listen to Canada Prize in the Humanities winner François-Marc Gagnon describe a piece of early Canadian art:

Find out how Canadians have spied on each other for over one hundred years from Canada Prize in the Social Sciences winners Reg Whitaker and Andy Parnaby:

Learn about the hidden political and cultural implications of baseball with Michel Nareau, winner of the Prix du Canada en sciences humaines:

Discover the world of Voodoo rituals with Nicolas Vonarx, winner of the Prix du Canada en sciences sociales:

Tags

Award to Scholarly Publications Program, Canada Prizes, Research

Category

Canada Prizes

SSH News: CIBC report, call for papers for Sexuality, Human Rights, and Public Policy conference, and the official website for Congress 2014

christine — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 17:55:55 +0000

Earlier this week the CIBC released a report suggesting that Canadian postsecondary students are widely choosing to enter fields of study that are not compatible with today’s high-demand areas of employment. Consequently, the report argues that Canada is experiencing an excess supply of post-secondary graduates whose skills do not reflect the needs of the contemporary labour market. The implications of the report have been discussed in a number of publications, and the Federation’s Executive Director, Jean-Marc Mangin, has also released a response.

A call for papers has been issued for the 2014 Conference on Sexuality, Human Rights, and Public Policy at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Drawing on a variety of academic fields, the conference aims to investigate questions such as “How is public policy shaping the conceptualization of sexuality and rights, and by extension, phenomena of inclusion and exclusion in contemporary society?” and “How is public discourse employed to re-inscribe differences of gender, sexuality, and rights?” Panels, papers, creative presentations, and roundtables that employ diverse, interdisciplinary and inter-generational perspectives are welcome, and abstracts of around 300 words should be submitted by email to Chima Korieh, PhD of Marquette University.

The official website for the 2014 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences is now live! We’ll be adding more information to the site as Congress approaches, but details on travel and accommodations are now available. The event will be hosted at Brock University from May 24 to 30, 2014, and registration will launch in January 2014. Check it out at www.congress2014.ca!

Tags

CFHSS news, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, Lesbian/ Gay/ Bisexual/ Transgendered/ Queer/ Intersex/ Two-Spirited

Category

SSH news