Government of Canada Invests in Research by Top Canadian Scholars to Build Knowledge on Economic, Social and Cultural Issues

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 28, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced a significant federal investment in social sciences and humanities research that will generate greater insight into economic, social and cultural issues and strengthen partnerships among academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Through grants awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), this investment of $121 million will support over 1,700 research projects being undertaken by individual researchers, small teams and through partnerships.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of investing in research in order to keep Canada at the forefront of the global economy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "We are supporting research that will improve the quality of life of Canadians, while helping our universities develop, attract and retain the world's best researchers."

This announcement comprises a range of research grant competitions offered through SSHRC's Insight and Connection programs. The research projects address topics that are directly linked to improving Canadians' prosperity, productivity and quality of life. Topics include digital media and innovation, the economy, education, immigration, the environment, food security, and youth. With these investments, SSHRC supports new research projects and extends existing partnerships.

"Social sciences and humanities research is about people—who we are as human beings, what we do, and why. By deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us and by sharing that knowledge with government, businesses and communities across the country, our researchers continue to make significant contributions to Canada's prosperity and our quality of life," said SSHRC President Chad Gaffield. "Through these investments, we ensure that Canada's best scholars receive the support they need for their research and that they share their knowledge with those who can put it to use across society."

Through its Insight and Connection programs, SSHRC enables the highest levels of research excellence in Canada by building knowledge and understanding and by facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration across research disciplines, universities and all sectors of society.

Some of the research projects funded will examine:

• partnerships for developing Aboriginal new media (Jason Lewis, Concordia University);

• homeless youth exiting street life (Jeff Karabanow, Dalhousie University);

• improving job performance and work engagement through organizational and employee programs (Arla Day, Saint Mary's University);

• the success of family-run firms (Danny Miller, HEC Montréal);

• international cooperation related to the control of international migration (François Crépeau, McGill University);

• interventions to promote ethnic respect and friendship among children (Frances Aboud, McGill University);

• school engagement among immigrant students in elementary school (Isabelle Archambault, Université de Montréal);

• the construction of expertise in board settings in times of financial turbulence (Yves Gendron, Université Laval);

• global governance and the 2008 global financial crisis (Tony Porter, McMaster University);

• Britain and the land forces of the Dominions from 1906 to1945 (Douglas Delaney, Royal Military College);

• corporate sustainable development reporting in Canada (Cory Searcy, Ryerson University);

• confidence in the Canadian criminal justice system: wrongful conviction and forms of redress (Kimberley Clow, University of Ontario Institute of Technology);

• experiences and perspectives of children and youth exposed to domestic violence (Simon Lapierre, University of Ottawa);

• employment readiness and skills gaps among adolescents with and without disabilities (Sally Lindsay, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital);

• motivations for cyber bullying (Faye Mishna, University of Toronto);

• child protection services to ethnic minority families when language barriers exist (Sarah Maiter, York University);

• the long-term labour market experiences of newcomer youth in Canada (Lori Wilkinson, University of Manitoba);

• the effect of attitudes towards standardized testing on learner disengagement and the intention to drop out of high school (Jacqueline Leighton, University of Alberta);

• the life and art of Timothy Findley (Sherrill Grace, The University of British Columbia);

• robust forest management strategies in the face of climate change (Cornelis van Kooten, University of Victoria);

• Europe's sovereign debt crisis: lessons learned for European integration (Amy Verdun, University of Victoria);

• the well-being and empowerment of Aboriginal youth (Georgia Vrakas, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières);

• digital media applications for artistic expression of individuals with disabilities (Geoffrey Shea, Ontario College of Art and Design);

• making digital histories: virtual historians and education (Nicholas Ng-a-Fook, University of Ottawa);

• full-day kindergarten and academic outcomes (Christine Neill, Wilfrid Laurier University);

• barriers to high school completion among Aboriginal youth in northern communities (Melanie O'Gorman, the University of Winnipeg); and

• why Aboriginal students stay at or leave university (Patrick Walton, Thompson Rivers University).

See all competition results on the SSHRC website.

SSHRC is the federal agency that promotes and supports university-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its three funding programs—Talent, Insight and Connection—SSHRC enables the highest levels of research excellence in Canada and facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaboration across research disciplines, universities and all sectors of society.