SSHRC Leaders Network
Terms of Reference

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Mandate

The SSHRC Leaders network is a principal external engagement body for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). It provides an ongoing channel of communication and engagement between postsecondary institutions in Canada and SSHRC, and facilitates the sharing of information amongst institutions. The communication between Leaders and SSHRC feeds into the development of SSHRC policies and programs, as well as responds to other items of interest to the social sciences and humanities research community.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and members of the SSHRC Leaders network commit to:

  • operate the network as an open forum for exchange;
  • share information with the Leaders in a timely manner;
  • engage and consult in a continuous manner; and
  • respect the diversity of views amongst institutions.

Membership

The SSHRC Leaders network is comprised of representatives of postsecondary institutions in Canada that are eligible to administer SSHRC funds for graduate training and research. Leaders are nominated by the president of their institution to represent the parent and affiliate institutions with graduate training and research mandates. Leaders may be selected from all career levels and must possess the appropriate knowledge on matters relating to the social sciences and humanities research and/or the administration of training and research programs and policies. SSHRC is committed to increasing equitable and inclusive participation in the research ecosystem, including the SSHRC Leaders network. In this regard, postsecondary institutions are expected to consider greater diversity in the appointment of a SSHRC Leader.

Nominations should be communicated via email to the SSHRC Leaders Secretariat at leaders@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.

Term

To ensure an institution’s continued representation and to facilitate knowledge sharing, SSHRC Leaders are requested to serve a three-year term. In the case where the appointed Leader is on a leave of absence for a period that exceeds a calendar year or is no longer able to hold their position, the president of their institution should appoint a new Leader. The institution should also advise SSHRC of any changes as soon as possible by communicating directly with the SSHRC Leaders Secretariat. SSHRC may also contact an institution to request the nomination, confirmation of a new Leader or an acting role. SSHRC Leaders may serve for a maximum of 6 consecutive years or two full terms in a row.

Role of SSHRC Leaders

With the full support of their institution, Leaders serve as a liaison with researchers and students in a broad range of social sciences and humanities disciplines at their institutions.

The role of a SSHRC Leader is to serve as a point of contact between SSHRC and their respective institutions by sharing information on SSHRC’s strategic priorities, and policy and program developments within the institution.

Leaders gather information and input from their postsecondary institution and the wider research and academic community to inform the development of SSHRC policies and programs.

The Leaders are called upon to:

  • actively participate in SSHRC consultations, working groups and strategic initiatives;
  • help to promote consultation calls from SSHRC within their institutions;
  • facilitate interactions and communication with SSHRC, from their institution and the scholarly community; and
  • assist SSHRC to gather and bring forward information on research and training trends and activities, knowledge mobilization and ideas for collaboration.

Role of SSHRC

SSHRC’s Future Challenges Division manages the SSHRC Leaders Secretariat. Members of SSHRC’s executive and management teams represent SSHRC on specific policy and program items.

The Secretariat supports SSHRC’s collaborative projects with the SSHRC Leaders on issues of common interest and facilitates on-going communication with and between the Leaders to inform and consult on topics of mutual interest. As such, it is responsible for collecting and sharing with the Leaders internal information on programs and policies, as well as data and information on research, research funding and training which may be of interest to the Leaders, their institutions and the wider research community. The Secretariat also coordinates the membership, maintains records, plans meetings, organizes working and consultation groups and manages all communications to the Leaders.

The Secretariat reports, through the Vice-President, Stakeholder Engagement and Advancement of Society, to the Senior Management Committee. Regular updates on the Leaders network are provided to SSHRC’s Governing Council through the Programs Committee.

As a federal agency, SSHRC ensures that all messages and documents distributed to the Leaders will be transmitted in both official languages.

The Secretariat can be reached at: leaders@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.

Meetings

The SSHRC Leaders network meets twice a year: an annual meeting in Ottawa, in late Fall, and a briefer meeting in late Spring. Consultations may be scheduled as necessary throughout the year and can be held via videoconference, email or other online platforms as deemed appropriate.

Attendance by Leaders for these meetings is highly recommended. Exceptionally, Leaders may appoint a delegate to attend a meeting on their behalf. Delegates should be briefed in advance of the meeting on the topics to be discussed, and should hold a position of sufficient authority to be able to represent their institution.

Agendas for meetings are set in consultation with SSHRC Leaders.

Summaries of discussions and supporting documentation of meetings are available to the SSHRC Leaders on the SSHRC Leaders Extranet site. Executive Summaries of the annual meetings are also available through SSHRC’s website.

The SSHRC Leaders Terms of Reference shall be reviewed on a periodic basis.


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