Government of Canada Strengthening Ties Between Academic and Private Sector

KITCHENER, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 25, 2012) - Social sciences and humanities researchers at postsecondary institutions across Canada will create research partnerships among the academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors, thanks to a federal government investment through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, while speaking at the launch of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

"Our Government's top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. To remain at the forefront of the global economy, our government is investing in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs," said Minister Goodyear. "Through these investments, we are creating the best-educated and most skilled workforce in the world and strengthening Canada's research advantage."

In total, more than $70 million is being awarded over a period of seven years to support 92 research teams across the country through SSHRC's Partnership Grants and Partnership Development Grants.

Today's event at the Communitech Hub, in Kitchener, Ontario, featured the research project led by Dr. Neil Randall, a professor in the department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo, and director of the Games Institute, a multidisciplinary research centre launched in 2011. The Games Institute is the home of the IMMERSe project, the multi-institutional network for games research established through the SSHRC Partnership Grant announced today. IMMERSe focuses on the study of player immersion and player behaviour in games and game-related technologies and interactions. IMMERSe comprises co-applicants and collaborators across eight universities, with six formal academic partners and six formal industry partners.

"These multisectoral research partnerships are key to innovation and to building knowledge for Canada's future," said Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. "With this funding support, we are gaining insight about, and developing innovative solutions to today's social, economic and cultural issues, while training the next generation of researchers and leaders."

A full list of the grant recipients is available on the SSHRC website. http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/news_room-salle_de_presse/press_releases-communiques/2012/pg-sp-eng.aspx

SSHRC is the federal agency that promotes and supports postsecondary 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.