SSHRC News
Congress is Coming to Ottawa, May 23-31
SSHRC is proud to be participating at the 2009 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, taking place at Carleton University in Ottawa from May 23-31. Join us as we host key sessions on a range of topics including international research collaboration, measuring impact of social sciences and humanities research, excellence in peer review and the search for talent in today's workforce. A special panel discussion on The North is also being organized by the Canada Research Chairs, the Networks for Centres of Excellence and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. See the Federation’s website for more details.
As the largest multidisciplinary academic gathering in Canada, Congress attracts researchers, scholars and students in the humanities and social sciences from around the world. This year’s theme is Capital Connections: nation, terroir, territoire, and provides an exploration into identity and globalization.
SSHRC publishes annual report for 2007-08
SSHRC’s 2007-08 annual report, Towards a Vibrant Future for Canadians, has been released and is now available online.
Researchers invited to participate in regional consultations on revised Tri-Council Policy Statement
The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS) is under major revision for the first time since its adoption in 1998 by Canada’s three federal research granting agencies. The Draft 2nd Edition of the TCPS was launched by the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics in December 2008. The draft proposes changes such as updated guidelines, expanded definitions, and new chapters on qualitative research, aboriginal research, and new models for the review of multi-jurisdictional research.
The deadline for researchers to submit their comments on changes to the TCPS has been extended to June 30, 2009. In October 2009, the Panel will release a revised version of the draft to the public for further comment during a 45-day written consultation period.
In February 2010, the Panel will submit a final revision to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and SSHRC for their consideration. The new policy statement will be implemented once it has been approved by the three granting agencies.
Requests for a print copy of the draft 2nd edition of the TCPS in English or French, as well as comments on the proposed changes, can be emailed to Draft2E@pre.ethics.gc.ca.
SSHRC releases Blue Ribbon Panel report
In March 2009, SSHRC released the final report of the independent Blue Ribbon Panel on peer review, "Promoting Excellence in Research - An International Blue Ribbon Panel Assessment of Peer Review Practices at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada". The report concludes that SSHRC’s peer-review system is up to the best practices and highest international standards, while offering a list of recommendations aimed at ensuring that our processes remain sustainable, efficient and world-class.
Full report
Leading Research Agencies Announce New International Competition
A new international competition called the Digging into Data Challenge was announced by four international leading research agencies, including SSHRC. Teams of scholars and scientists from at least two of the participating countries will demonstrate how data mining and data analysis tools currently used in the sciences can improve humanities and social science scholarship. Winning teams will receive grants from two or more of the funding agencies and be invited to present their work at a conference. The deadlin for interested applicants to submit a letter of intent was March 15, with final applications due July 15.
Government announces first of 2009's Centres of Excellence for commercialization and Research under tri-council initiative
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced that the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Resource Management in Calgary will receive a contribution of $11.6 million over five years. The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research bring together partners from the academic, private and public sectors to advance research and facilitate commercialization of technologies, products and services. More information on this new centre is provided in this backgrounder.
Government announces first of four Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence under tri-council initiative
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced the establishment of new Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-Networks), including a contribution of $11.8 million over four years to the Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN) in Ottawa. BL-Networks are large-scale, collaborative research networks led by the private sector and focused on specific business research needs. More information on this network can be found here.