Welcome to the leading academic gathering in Canada
News about future Congresses coming soon!
For 2026, explore the Big Thinking Summit
About Congress
Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences is Canada’s leading gathering of academics and one of the largest in the world. It’s a place to hold critical conversations of our time, hear from a diverse set of voices, share findings, refine ideas, and build partnerships to help shape the Canada of tomorrow.
Put simply, Congress is the convergence of scholarly associations, each holding their annual conference under one umbrella at a Canadian institution. Every year, for over 95 years, we’ve collaborated with a partner institution, participating scholarly associations, and partners to bring you inspiring presentations, panels, workshops, and cultural events.
We’re striving to ensure that Congress is a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and decolonized place for all members of our community. Find out more about our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization.
Reimagining Congress
The landscape around Congress has shifted in recent years, with host institutions and the community navigating new pressures and expectations. To ensure Congress remains sustainable and meaningful, we began developing alternative approaches to Congress, informed by membership and community consultations and guided by our new Strategic Plan.
Reimagining Congress Task Force
In summer 2025, the Federation launched the Reimagining Congress Task Force, composed of 20 community members representing a range of disciplines, associations, institutions, equity-deserving groups, and francophone communities. The Task Force met through 2025 to explore future event models. Their recommendations will inform how the Federation supports scholarly convening beyond 2026.
Latest update
Consultations and feasibility testing advance the new Congress model
The Federation is currently testing the feasibility of a new Congress model, following feedback provided by the Congress Reimagining Task Force at its December meeting. In parallel, an Expo Task Force is engaging Congress exhibitors to inform how the exhibition component may evolve.
Members will receive further updates in late spring, including a presentation of the proposed model and next steps to support planning for Congress 2027.
Past and future Congresses
Check out the Resource hub or the Blog to rediscover the research presented at past Congresses.
If your institution or city is interested in becoming a future Congress partner, contact organizers@federationhss.ca.
Congress is made possible thanks to the support of our Congress partner
