(Ottawa, April 7, 2017)—Today, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) announced the finalists for its 2017 Storytellers challenge.
SSHRC’s annual contest challenges postsecondary students from across the country to tell the story—in three minutes or 300 words—of how SSHRC-funded research is making a difference in the lives of Canadians. The top entries this year addressed a range of important issues, including big data, climate change, Indigenous knowledge, youth, food security and immigration. Their stories highlight how knowledge about the social sciences and humanities helps Canadians understand and improve the world around us.
"Social sciences and humanities research enhances our understanding of modern social, cultural, technological, environmental, economic and wellness issues, and helps us to thrive in complex and challenging times,” said SSHRC President Ted Hewitt. “Our finalists have done a masterful job, through the stories they’ve told, of enlightening and informing us on key issues, and have demonstrated communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers. Congratulations to our Top 25!”
The Top 25 finalists, representing 14 postsecondary institutions from across Canada, were selected from among nearly 200 entries by 24 expert judges from Canada and abroad. Each will receive a cash prize of $3,000 and will go on to compete in the Storytellers Showcase at the 2017 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, taking place from May 27 to June 2 at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Starting April 18, SSHRC will feature five finalists each week via its website and on social media. In addition, a list of honourable mentions can be found on the SSHRC YouTube channel.
Follow SSHRC’s Twitter feed and #SSHRCStorytellers to find out more about the campaign in the lead-up to the Storytellers Showcase at Congress 2017.
This year’s Top 25 finalists are (videos available in the language in which they were submitted):