Social Sciences and Humanities Research Needs a Better and Stronger Articulation in Canada

Ottawa -- The Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada welcomes the federal government's support for higher education announced in its 1998 budget yesterday. The government of Canada has responded to the need to support researchers from all disciplines by increasing the budgets of the granting councils to the level of 1995 in the first year. The Federation applauds this.

"We are glad to see that the government has put research and research support on its agenda again," said Chad Gaffield, President of the Federation and Professor of History. "And providing support for researchers and graduate students through the granting councils is certainly a sign that the government has received the message from the research community and acted on it."

But while the Federation recognizes the government's action, it still feels that social sciences and humanities researchers have not fully explained the important contribution their research makes to the quality of life in Canada. Humanities and social sciences research addresses social, economic and cultural issues that are as relevant to Canada as research in the biomedical and natural sciences disciplines.

Specifically, humanists and social scientists need to continue de-bunking three myths: that education in our disciplines leads to under- or unemployment; that our research is disconnected from the larger society; and that our disciplines do not need an infrastructure to support our research activities.

"Even if, at the end of the day, the budget of the three granting councils is restored and increased, it is clear that the community represented by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council has not effectively convinced politicians of the key value of their research to Canada's future," added Professor Gaffield. " Research on child poverty, globalization, violence, cultural decline or disappearing languages is fundamental to understanding our society, its identity, its goals and its objectives. Such research requires the same level of support as other disciplines."

Indeed, quality of life is not only a function of economic well-being. Quality of life is defined by public policies related to the overall well-being of Canadians. Social sciences and humanities research contribute directly to public policy development and social discourse as demonstrated through the Federation's "Breakfast on the Hill" seminars series.

Moreover, the Federation knows that getting an education in social sciences and humanities is not a ticket to under- or unemployment. Education in the social sciences and humanities constitutes a springboard to a variety of employment opportunities as demonstrated by "Career Vision', a program managed by the Federation. Social sciences and humanities students have found interesting and fulfilling employment in environment and health related sectors. Consequently, the Federation also applauds the government's Canada Millennium Scholarships program for full-time and part-time students. "Students are the future and Canada is giving them the tools to prepare themselves for a knowledge-based society," added Chad Gaffield.

Social sciences and humanities research will only thrive and come to its full potential if it has adequate infrastructure such as the CRICs. Strongly supported by universities, faculty and students, the Community Research and Information Crossroads (CRICs) would allow for the transfer of knowledge related to social, economic and cultural issues between universities and communities.

The Federation acknowledges the increase to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council as a positive step in the right direction. "Social scientists and humanists have an important job to do in the coming years that is to better articulate to the government and to all Canadians the relevance of social sciences and humanities research for the overall well-being of this great country," added Chad Gaffield.

The Federation will continue working towards obtaining better and additional support for social sciences and humanities research in Canada in the coming years and emphasizing the importance of altering perceptions and changing traditional allocation formulas.

The Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada is a charitable organization representing 61 learned societies and 69 universities. The Federation promotes teaching, research and scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and a better understanding of the importance of such work for Canada and the world.

Additional information on the Federation is available on the Federation's web site (http://www.hssfc.ca/) or by phoning the Federation at (613) 238-6112 ext. 306

Information

Thérèse De Groote
Manager, Public Affairs

Phone: (613) 238-6112, ext. 306
E-mail: degroote@hssfc.ca
Fax: (613) 238-6114.