President's Desk

Speeches and Presentations

Internationalizing the Social Sciences and Humanities
Keynote address , 3rd International Transatlantic Degree Program Workshop
(PDF document, 30 KB) October 2007

The value of social economy research
SSHRC’s Social Economy initiative is making a difference. Social economy research promotes economic models that are focused on a triple bottom line—economic, environmental and social. Since the initiative launched in 2005, it has grown to six regional research networks; a hub in Victoria, British Columbia; and hundreds of participants and partners from across Canada and around the world. The initiative has also produced more than 100 events, helped create websites and inspired newspaper and magazine articles.
Presentation at the first International CIRIEC Research Conference on the Social Economy (PDF document, 68 KB), October 2007

Immigration and the future of Canada’s cities
The Metropolis Project is one of SSHRC’s most compelling examples of a large-scale, collaborative research project that crosses borders, forges links and delivers research that is directly relevant to people’s lives.
Plenary address , Metropolis national conference (PDF document, 30 KB), March 2007

Knowledge, understanding and talent in the making of successful societies: Canada’s fourth chapter
How can, and should, higher education contribute to the building of successful societies in a globalized and digital world? More specifically, what role does research and training have in ensuring societies have the knowledge and talent necessary to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities of this new era? Campuses are now being transformed in ways that offer Canadians the prospect of moving forward in the 21st century, by building on past success, and of falling backward within rapid and profound global changes.
Lecture to the 20th annual Reddin Symposium on the future of research and higher education in Canada (PDF document, 662 KB), held at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, January 13, 2007

Canada’s place in a competitive world
Most professors and graduate students at Canadian universities work in social sciences and humanities disciplines. They represent a rich pool of knowledge and expertise. As nations around the world invest in research and talent to nourish their own knowledge societies, this pool—Canada’s source of managers, entrepreneurs, teachers, public servants and political leaders—will be key to maintaining Canada’s prosperity, competitiveness and quality of life.
Statement to the House of Commons standing committee on finance (PDF document, 104 KB), October 2006