Representing more than 50,000 scholars, students and practitioners, the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences is a membership-based organization that is made up of 72 scholarly associations, 75 universities and colleges and 6 affiliate organizations.

With its long history as a representative of Canadian academic excellence, the Federation strives to support and advance Canada's research in the humanities and social science through its various activities. Research in these disciplines advances knowledge and builds understanding about individuals, groups and societies. This research informs the way we think, how we live and how we interact with each other and the world around us. The knowledge and understanding generated by social sciences and humanities research underpins public discussion on complex social, cultural and economic issues, thereby enhancing technological and environmental innovation and providing communities, businesses and governments the foundation for a vibrant and healthy democracy.

The Federation:

• acts as representative and convenor of the largest research community in Canada;
• hosts the largest annual multidisciplinary gathering of scholars in North America;
• administers a program that supports the publication of 150 scholarly books per year;
• awards annual scholarly book prizes;
• runs a series of lectures on Parliament Hill to bring humanities and social science research to policy makers;
• addresses professional matters, including equity issues;
• undertakes research projects to help advance Canada's humanities and social science fields

Mission

The Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research, scholarship, and teaching in these disciplines, and a better understanding of the importance of such work for Canada and the world.

The Federation works for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences; it also provides infrastructure for the Canadian scholarly community.

The Federation believes that research and education in social and cultural issues contribute both to the solution of social problems and to the quality of life in Canada. The Federation supports equity in Canadian universities, and it holds the conviction that knowledge, freedom, and democracy cannot thrive without one another.

Objectives

As the voice of our country’s learned societies, academic institutions and other organizations with a direct interest in social sciences and humanities scholarship, the Federation aims to:

• advocate the concerns of Canada’s humanities and social science communities;
• assist in the formulation of research policies in the humanities and social sciences;
• foster teaching and learning in the humanities and social sciences at all levels of education;
• facilitate the work of individual scholars and groups of scholars;
• promote co-operation within the Canadian scholarly community as well as with the international scholarly community;
• encourage and promote research, and the publication and dissemination of scholarship in the humanities and social sciences;
• promote a better understanding of the humanities and social sciences by the general public, governments, and external organizations.

Fast Facts

• We represent 69 scholarly associations, 75 universities and colleges, 7 affiliates, and over 50,000 researchers, students and practitioners in the humanities and social sciences.
  
• Annually, 69% of all undergraduates (81,000 students) and 67% of all graduate students (17,400) earn degrees in the humanities and social sciences.
  
• 18,000 (53%) of all full-time faculty in universities are in the human sciences.
  
• The Federation represents disciplines in fine arts, humanities, social sciences and professional studies, including modern languages, sociology, literature, religion, geography, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, classics, law, economics, education, linguistics, women's studies, industrial relations, international development, Canadian studies, social work, communications, socialist studies, area studies, cultural studies, leisure studies, political science, demography, environmental studies, folklore and computing in the humanities.
  
  

Why Research and Learning in the Social Sciences and Humanities Matter

The research performed by our community helps improve service delivery, governance practices and business models. It also helps our industries understand the social, cultural and economic dynamics of the world, opening new doors for Canadian innovation in the global marketplace. Research in these disciplines raises the standard of scientific and technical innovation by shining an inquiring light on its ethical, historical, cultural and social consequences, strengthening our country's institutions and democratic values. Finally, it has a direct impact on the life of Canadians in every region, empowering individuals and communities to deal with change-whether by adapting to it, or by providing the knowledge and tools to assert their own view of how it should happen.