Federation news
Think forward: Democracy
How are the humanities and social sciences shaping the future of democracy? The first brief of our Think forward series, Democracy, explores how the humanities and social sciences strengthen democratic dialogue, support evidence-based policy, and equip citizens for meaningful civic participation. Amplify and take action with our shareable resources.
The Association of Canadian University Presses (ACUP) is now a Federation affiliate
The Federation is happy to announce the addition of a new official affiliate: the Association of Canadian University Presses. ACUP is the collective voice of French- and English-language scholarly publishing in Canada. Together, we will continue to work to advance a thriving scholarly publishing landscape in Canada, where collaboration between publishers and researchers brings scholarship to life and strengthens its presence in public life. Learn more about our new affiliate.
With new strategic directions, the Federation prepares for next chapter
At its October 4 meeting, the Federation’s Board of Directors discussed a new strategy that will chart the course for our next chapter. The proposed strategic directions reflect our shared commitment to a strong, connected, and forward-looking humanities and social sciences community, ready to meet the challenges and possibilities of the years ahead. Our new strategy will be a unique opportunity to engage in community-wide reflection and collaboration as we move forward together.
A new vision for Congress takes shape
Following constructive discussions by the Reimagining Congress Task Force, emerging directions were shared with the Federation’s Board of Directors and prospective Congress hosts. Support is strong for a Congress that aims to be more sustainable, collaborative, and inclusive. Over the coming months, we’ll be working to operationalize this vision and will continue to keep our community informed as the model develops.
Federation consults on new federal artificial intelligence (AI) strategy
On October 1, the federal government opened consultations on a renewed AI strategy. On October 20, the Federation convened humanities and social science researchers focused on AI for a virtual consultation on research and talent. The Federation will soon submit a written consultation to the AI Task Force on research and talent.
The Federation met with Project of Heart and World Changing Kids
In continuing our commitment to reconciliation and ongoing learning, Federation staff gathered virtually with World Changing Kids and Project of Heart, one of the first signatories of our Charter on Equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. Guided by Lindsey Barr (Founder, World-Changing Kids) and Elder Albert Dumont (Algonquin, Kitigan Zibi, Traditional Teacher), the conversation encouraged reflection on how we can approach our work with deeper respect and accountability.
We are grateful for the knowledge shared and bring these learnings forward by presenting the following resources:
- Canadian have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people
- Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
- Why are Indigenous Children Overrepresented in Canada’s Child Welfare System?
- Confronting residential schools denialism is an ethical and shared Canadian responsibility
Seeking freelance graphic designers
The Federation is growing its network of creative partners and inviting skilled graphic designers who can translate ideas into compelling visuals across social media, infographics, and polished digital documents like toolkits and reports, while working within established brand guidelines. If you have a strong portfolio and enjoy turning complex information into engaging design, please share samples of your work with communications@federationhss.ca.
Big Thinking summit events
Big Thinking Summit: Future-ready graduate education in Canada
On October 15 and 16, nearly 100 research, policy, and graduate student advocates convened at McMaster University for the Big Thinking Summit: Future-ready graduate education in Canada, hosted in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies and the Canadian Collaborative for Society, Innovation and Policy. Across two days of discussion, the Summit made clear that building a resilient graduate system means rethinking outdated approaches, recognizing diverse perspectives, and better aligning institutions, policymakers, and funders to strengthen Canada’s research and innovation capacity and sovereignty. Explore the key outcomes from the Summit.
Big Thinking Summit 2026: Inflection Point
Call for proposals: Don’t miss your chance to bring your ideas to a national stage! We invite proposals that cross disciplinary and institutional boundaries and show the impact and relevance of the HSS across diverse contexts. Explore the presentation streams and submit your idea by November 17, 2025.
If you’re already making plans to attend, be sure to check out the Federation’s discounted travel and accommodation options.
Interested parties looking to make a lasting impact alongside the Big Thinking Summit: Inflection Point can now review partnership and advertising opportunities.
HSS news
Government of Canada and Ontario sign a bilateral agreement on minority-language education and second-language instruction – Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament, reiterated the Government of Canada’s commitment to Francophone communities by announcing the signing of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction 2024-2025 to 2027-2028. Read more.
Tri-agency CV – The three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), have collaborated to develop a new CV template for funding opportunities. The narrative style format of this CV has been designed to better capture the diverse contributions of applicants. Read more and watch the Tri-agency CV webinar.
Survey of experiences with online misogyny in academia and university settings – Have you experienced online misogyny or technology-facilitated gender-based violence? Do you work in academia or a university setting in Canada? Dr. Jada Watson and members of the Digital Feminist network are recruiting faculty, instructors, researchers, librarians, archivists, and administrative personnel to participate in a national survey about experiences with technology facilitated gender-based violence. Take the survey.
HSS scholars on the UN’s finding that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza
Following the UN's finding that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza under the UN Genocide Convention and amid a continuously evolving situation on the ground, scholars in the humanities and social sciences bring insights to the human and social impacts, promoting human rights and principled humanitarian action to guide Canada's response.
Universities without borders: In Gaza, studying “means we’re still alive” – In just a few short months, 90,000 Palestinian students lost their right to education due to Israeli attacks that, by May 2024, had destroyed all twelve universities in the Gaza Strip. Hoping to prevent the loss of knowledge itself, professors from across the globe joined forces. Read more.
The conflation problem: Why anti-Zionism and anti-semitism are not the same – With antisemitism on the rise while Israeli-Palestinian relations remain at an historic low, one question that continues to dog public discourse is whether anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism. Why does the distinction matter? Read more.
Why is Canada quiet on the International Criminal Court while recognizing Palestine? – Canada has formally recognized the state of Palestine. At the same time, the U.S. is continuing to oppose the International Criminal Court (ICC) by sanctioning several of its judges, citing their involvement in investigations related to alleged war crimes by American and Israeli officials. Despite Canada’s historic support for the ICC, the current government has yet to officially defend it against the recent accusations. Read more.
The viewpoint diversity debate in Canadian universities – Universities have always been spaces where inquiry confronts uncertainty, advancing knowledge through critical engagement rather than deference to authority. Within this mission, debates about “viewpoint diversity” require context. Read more.
Talent could be Canada’s missing link in nation-building – This November’s budget is a defining moment for the government to show it is serious about Canadian talent, with clear rules, steady support, and a vision to ensure the projects Canadians are counting on don’t stall before they start. Read more.
The Latin American Network of McMaster University (LANMU) kicks off Latin American Heritage Month – Students, staff, and faculty members, along with their families, got together this month for a celebration of the richness and diversity of Latin American cultures and communities at McMaster. Read more.