Much has changed since our last strategic plan, Ideas Can, concluded in 2020. As we look ahead, we are excited to begin shaping a new strategy that reflects our collective priorities and guides the Federation in the years to come. This strategic planning process will be shaped by the voices of our members, partners, and the broader humanities and social sciences community, ensuring that it supports us all in responding to new and emerging challenges and contributing to a strong and sustainable future.
While the Federation’s Board of Directors is responsible for approving the Strategic Plan, we believe that whole community participation is essential to its success. We are committed to engaging our members throughout the consultation phase to ensure we reflect a shared vision for the Federation’s future. By learning more about the priorities and aspirations of our community, we aim to develop a strategy that is both grounded and forward-looking.
We are working with Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) to support the Strategic Plan's development. HESA’s team includes highly experienced facilitators with deep knowledge of the higher education sector.
Development timeline
- Phase 1: Intensive consultation
- A survey of Federation stakeholders (spring) [Complete]
- A series of engagement sessions with Federation members, stakeholders, and the community (Congress 2025 in-person consultations, summer virtual consultations) [Complete]
- Phase 2: Strategic development (August 2025) [Complete]
- Phase 3: Plan development and finalization (Autumn-Winter 2025)
Latest update (November)
Consultations move the Federation's Strategic Plan toward completion
November marked an important stage in our strategic planning process as we consulted with members and stakeholders on the proposed directions. This feedback has informed the Federation Board’s latest review, helping to guide the final stages of preparation. We look forward to sharing the plan with our community in early 2026 as we move toward this next chapter together.
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 August to explore future event models. Their recommendations will inform how the Federation supports scholarly convening beyond 2026.
Latest update (November)
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.
Grounded in this context, the Congress Reimagining Task Force met again on November 24 to review and discuss a proposed new model for Congress. Early conversations with prospective institutions are informing this work, and feasibility testing with key stakeholders and potential hosts will continue through winter 2026. Once this phase is complete, we will introduce the model to the community.