Justice Rosalie Abella, John Ralston Saul, Siila Watt-Cloutier and Susan Ormiston to address Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences at Carleton University

Ottawa, Wednesday May 20, 2009 - North America’s largest annual interdisciplinary academic conference kicks off in Ottawa this week. Thousands of academics are converging on Ottawa’s Carleton University to present and debate research from across the country and around the world.

A news conference will be held this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Tory Quad at Carleton to give the media a taste of what to expect.

Nathalie Des Rosiers, president of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, says more than 8000 delegates are expected to attend this important national festival of learning.

“The next nine days are truly a celebration of intellectual life and scholarly work in our country. Fascinating and important research and discoveries will be shared and discussed,” said Nathalie Des Rosiers. “Research in the social sciences and humanities is a crucial part of Canada’s knowledge infrastructure. Exploring questions that are fundamental to life and society deepens our understanding of the country and the world.”

Organized by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress 2009 brings together a broad cross-section of fields of study. History, philosophy of science, international development, culture, political science, social work, communications, literature, geography, language, theatre, religion and many more disciplines will share a common stage.

Carleton University President Roseann O’Reilly Runte says the entire university campus — including all residences — will be used to host Congress 2009.

“The Carleton University community is delighted to welcome academic colleagues from across the country and around the world,’’ said Dr. Runte. “We look forward to sharing discoveries and engaging in stimulating debate on pressing issues of the day. Carleton, a centre for innovation and excellence in the nation’s capital, is ideally situated for this intellectual exchange. This week, Ottawa will become the ideas capital of the world!’’

The Federation is the voice of Canada’s humanities and social sciences community, representing more than 50,000 researchers through 69 associations, 75 universities and colleges and seven affiliates across Canada. Congress is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

The Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences takes place at Carleton University from May 23 to 31, 2009.


For more information, please call:

Caitlin Kealey
Manager of Communications
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
613-513-9756
613-520-3552 (Congress newsroom)
ckealey@fedcan.ca

Lin Moody
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 ext. 8705
lin_moody@carleton.ca