June 9 to 11, 2026, at the Edmonton Convention Centre
About the Summit
"The HSS are at the inflection point. We are grappling with the value proposition for our disciplines. It asks us to think deeply about what the HSS does: the language, the memory, and the human condition across time. Together, these traditions answer questions no other community of scholars can in the same way. We answer, what does it mean to live a human life?
We should seize the next 30 years, collectively. We have talent, wisdom, knowledge, experience, and know-how. We can make a difference. This is our moment. This is our time. Let’s seize it.” - Dr. Malinda S. Smith, at The Federation’s 30th Anniversary Gala: At the Inflection Point, June 10, 2026.
The Big Thinking Summit 2026: Inflection Point, June 9 to 11, 2026 at the Edmonton Convention Centre, made a clear case for the value of HSS research at a moment when Canada is grappling with questions of trust, democracy, technology, and social change. Across more than 150 events, hundreds of presenters and participants showed how HSS knowledge can help us understand the forces shaping public life and imagine better ways forward.
About the theme: Inflection Point
Together, we must draw on historical, linguistic, cultural, and practice-based perspectives to open new possibilities for a Canada at the crossroads. Questions of legitimacy — who produces knowledge, whose voices are amplified, and how authority is recognized — are pressing to the fore. As public trust in postsecondary institutions is tested, shifts in cross-sector partnerships must reshape how research connects with policy and community priorities. Innovations in teaching, inquiry, and knowledge sharing must redefine scholarship and how it circulates across all of society.
HSS, this is our moment to advance the solutions that Canada urgently needs.
Key programming
- Storytelling is power: Using stories for change — June 9, featuring Tanya Talaga.
- What Could Canada Learn from its Minority Francophone Communities — June 9, featuring Amy Vachon-Chabot, Anne-José Villeneuve, and Ibrahima Diallo. Moderated by Peter Dorrington.
- Democratic resilience — June 10, featuring Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey and Michael Wernick. Moderated by Shari Graydon.
- Federation’s 30th Anniversary Gala: At the Inflection Point — June 10, featuring Dr. Malinda S. Smith and Stephen J.Toope. Moderated by Sylvie Lamoureux. Emceed by Corey Loranger.
- Inclusive AI futures — June 11, featuring Dr. Kem-Laurin Lubin, Bobbie Racette and Dr. Geoffrey Martin Rockwell. Moderated by Dr. Jerome Cranston.
Inflection Point in the news
- Think AI Treats Everyone Equally? Think Again, Says Panel of Educational and Tech Visionaries (AI Tech Trend) - Dr. Kem-Laurin Lubin, University of Waterloo; Bobbie Racette, entrepreneur and founder; Dr. Geoffrey Rockwell, University of Alberta; Dr. Jerome Cranston, University of Saskatchewan.
- The Big Thinking Summit is shifting the focus of education (Rabble)
- Vast Majority of Language Arts Students Surveyed See Benefits of Tech-Free Classroom, U of T Mississauga Pilot Project Shows (Swagger Magazine) - Dr. Mustafa Siddiqui, University of Toronto Mississauga.
- School science changes spark concerns (Winnipeg Free Press) - Dr. Latika Raisinghani, University of Winnipeg; Dr. Lilian Pozzer, University of Manitoba.
- Homeless post-secondary students becoming more common in Nova Scotia (Calgary Herald) - Emily Berg, University of Alberta; Lisa Mader, Nova Scotia Community College.
- Due to rise in A.I., three quarters of CEGEP teachers have changed the way they evaluate students, says Montreal researcher (The Suburban) (Noovo Info – In French) - Dr. Lisa Giachini, Cégep Édouard-Montpetit.
- 'Design a better system': Alberta wildfire evacuees need more support, shows research (Saltwire) - Dr. Julie Drolet, University of Calgary.
- Trent professor says health risks of vaping are serious (The Peterborough Examiner – Paywall) - Dr. William Smale, Trent University.
- Children need love and connection more than algorithms and AI (Guelph Today) - Dr. Nikki Martyn, University of Guelph.
Funding & awards
- Ajibola Adigun, University of Alberta
- Ashika Ashika, McGill University
- Emily Berg, University of Alberta
- Jessica Bodnar, Trent University
- Casey Caines, University of Alberta
- Madeline Cathcart, Simon Fraser University
- Kathleen Cherrington, York University
- Shiney Choudhary, University of Calgary
- Delia Cudney, University of Calgary
- Tamia Duchesneau, University of Alberta
- Rama Eloulabi, Western University
- Christine Fiddler, University of Saskatchewan
- Samantha Fowler, University of Waterloo
- Danielle Gardiner Milln, University of Alberta
- Cassandra Hill, Athabasca University
- Chuanfeng Huang, University of Manitoba
- Hero Laird, University of Alberta
- Riley Hannah Muriel Lewicki, McGill University
- Tarran Maharaj, University of Windsor
- Nadia Maqbool, University of Saskatchewan
- Ismail Nasirudeen, University of Alberta
- Maureen Plante, University of Alberta
- Daniel Platts, York University
- Carolyn Roberts, University of British Columbia
- François Savard, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Rajender Singh, Western University
- Chanel Tsang, University of Toronto
- Trevor Williams, Royal Roads University
- Alina Zhang, York University
- Qian Zhou, University of British Columbia
The Big Thinking Summit 2026 was made possible thanks to
Summit sponsor
Leading sponsors
Presenting sponsors
Supporting sponsors
