Investing in Canada's Future Through Research

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 31, 2013) - Why do some thrive in difficult circumstances when others fail? How will new roads affect Canadian cities in the future? How do social media networks influence educational models? These are just a few of the questions being answered by our social science researchers across the country. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced an investment of $167 million by the Government of Canada to support social sciences and humanities researchers at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Researchers will collaborate with private, public and not-for-profit sectors on issues of importance to advance our understanding of people and society. The announcement was held at the launch of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, taking place this year at the University of Victoria.

"These grants advance Canadian excellence in social sciences and humanities research by supporting the development of talent and promoting academic-industry partnerships," said Minister Goodyear. "Our government is committed to making our country a global centre of research excellence, innovation and higher learning. We understand that investing in research strengthens the economy, creates high-quality jobs, enhances our competitiveness and improves the quality of life of Canadians."

Of the $167 million in federal funding, $104 million from SSHRC's Talent Program will support more than 3,700 masters, doctoral and postdoctoral scholarships and fellowships. Another $63 million is being awarded over a period of seven years to support 78 research teams across the country through SSHRC's Partnership Grants and Partnership Development Grants. The Government of Canada's investment has leveraged an additional $43.4 million in matching support from sources involved in these projects such as national and international researchers and industry, public and not-for-profit partners.

"Thanks to continued federal support, Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and training, which help to create and sustain strong cultures of innovation," said Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. "Through SSHRC's funding opportunities for research partnerships and talent, we are enabling stronger working relationships among academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors, while supporting the development of our next generation of leaders to build a better future for Canada and the world."

The announcement featured a research project led by Dr. Luciana Duranti, from the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with a team of more than 130 researchers and partners, including the University of Victoria and two of its librarians and archivists. The project, "Trust and digital records in an increasingly networked society" will look at the role of "big data" in today's world where we produce, store, and access records in the highly networked environment of the Internet. The goal of this project is to develop integrated local, national and international policies, regulations and standards regarding digital records entrusted to the Internet.

Dr. Duranti's research partnership comprises universities, organizations and industry in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia and encompasses academic expertise in a range of specialties.

Also featured was the research project by Jacqueline Quinless, a doctoral student at the University of Victoria, who is examining how to develop a measurement tool for First Nations community well-being that incorporates traditional knowledge, land and resource management, sport and recreation, and language and culture.

A full list of the grant recipients is available on the SSHRC website.

BACKGROUNDER

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world. Created by an act of Canada's Parliament in 1977, SSHRC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry.
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Talent Program

The goal of the Talent program is to support students and postdoctoral fellows in order to develop the next generation of researchers and leaders across society, both within academia and across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. The Talent program promotes the acquisition of research skills, and assists in the training of highly qualified personnel in the social sciences and humanities. In this way, SSHRC fosters the development of talented and creative people who will become leaders across campuses and communities, and thereby contribute to Canada's success in the globalized 21st century.
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Partnerships

SSHRC-funded partnerships enable Canadian social sciences and humanities researchers to achieve the highest levels of research excellence, and to mobilize knowledge and expertise for the benefit of all Canadians.
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