Federation news
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a day dedicated to honouring Residential School Survivors, their families, communities and the children who never returned home, and to recognize the lasting impacts of Canada’s Residential School system.
We invite you to explore these titles, authored by recipients of the Federation’s Scholarly Book Awards, and to reflect on what Truth and Reconciliation can look like in your work and community, on September 30 and beyond.
- Students by Day: Colonialism and Resistance at the Curve Lake Indian Day School - Jackson Pind.
- Beyond the Rink: Behind the Images of Residential School Hockey - Alexandra Giancarlo, Janice Forsyth, and Braden Te Hiwi.
- Ravens Talking: Indigenous Feminist Legal Studies - Rebecca Johnson, Debra McKenzie, Val Napoleon, and Emily Snyder.
Michael Charles joins the Federation as Presidential Advisor, Strategy and EDID
The Federation is pleased to engage Michael Charles as Presidential Advisor to support the advancement of EDID in line with the Federation’s new Strategic Plan. A lawyer by training, Michael brings more than a decade of experience leading EDI work in the postsecondary sector. Most recently, he served as Vice-President, Innovation, Reconciliation and Healing at Centennial College. Michael attended the Big Thinking Summit and wrote his reflections in a report, “Reflections on EDID at the 2026 Big Thinking Summit.”
Federation-convened roundtables explore HSS's role in supporting Canada's security
The Federation recently convened a small group of experts to explore how HSS can support Canada's security and future. As defence remains a critical area of focus, long-term funding in HSS research, education, and training will be essential to building the skills and talent Canada needs for the future. Read more.
Advancing responsible AI with the humanities and social sciences
On September 23, the Federation submitted its recommendations to the Federal Consultation on Advancing AI Transparency in Canada. The Federation calls for increased support for the humanities and social sciences, which are uniquely positioned to advance sustainable, transparent, and responsible AI policy. You can read the Federation's submission here.
Don’t miss out on $30,000 to translate and publish your scholarly book
Are you planning to translate a scholarly book in the humanities and social sciences? Did you know that the Scholarly Book Awards Translation Grant offers $30,000 to help cover the translation and publication costs for English or French translations, with a dedicated grant available for Indigenous languages? Don’t miss this opportunity! Publishers, and authors working with publishers, can apply now before November 30. Learn more and apply.
New on the Big Thinking Podcast: One square kilometer. A different idea of the university
A university is not just a campus; it is also a place that is part of a neighbourhood, a place that coexists alongside its residents, its businesses, and its public spaces. But how can we ensure that this proximity between the university and the neighbourhood develops into a genuine relationship? How can a university contribute to the life of its neighbourhood while learning from those who live there? This is one of the central questions driving UQAM’s Quartier Latin project, which aims to transform the neighbourhood into a dynamic and inclusive space where learning, culture, research, and community life come together. Listen now.
Congress 2027 news
Discover the 2027 Congress theme
Congress 2027: Confluences invites you to explore the histories we elucidate, the languages we connect through, the cultures we inherit, and the places and communities we form, and are formed by, over time. Learn more about the theme.
One registration, more possibilities
At Congress 2027, a single registration gives you access to all sessions and events across the entire program. Whether you’re gathering with your scholarly association or connected to the humanities and social sciences through your work or interests, you can build your Congress experience around the topics that matter to you, with flexibility to discover something new.
Meet the Congress 2027 Academic Convenor
Dr. Nicolas Fillion, Associate Professor, Philosophy, will serve as SFU’s Academic Convenor for Congress 2027. Dr. Fillion’s research spans the philosophy of science, applied mathematics, logic, critical thinking, and epistemology. He is also active in philosophy education and outreach, including as Director of the SFU Ethics Bowl project and Chair of Ethics Bowl Canada.
HSS news
Following its testimony in December 2024, the Federation awaited the Standing Committee on
Science and Research's report on Impact of the Criteria for Awarding Federal Funding on Research Excellence in Canada, presented to the House of Commons on September 21. While we had hoped for more substantive guidance, the report focused primarily on divergent views on equity, diversity, and inclusion, offering limited direction on policies and practices that could better support Canadian researchers’ success. As the Federation strengthens its advocacy efforts, we will bring further humanities and social sciences expertise to bear on policy issues that matter to our community.
Remove EDI from research funding decisions, parliamentary committee says – In its report, Impact of the Criteria for Awarding Federal Funding on Research Excellence in Canada, the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) describes EDI policies as “discriminatory” and says they are “delivering bad value for Canadian taxpayers by weakening research excellence in Canada and undermining public trust and confidence in federally funded research.” Read more.
Science Meets Parliament is now accepting applications – Canadian Science Policy Centre’s Science Meets Parliament is now accepting applications. The program fosters connections between scientists and federal and provincial policymakers for dialogue and mutual learning. Learn more and apply.
Government of Canada launches National AI Literacy Initiative – The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, launched Canada’s National AI Literacy Initiative, a new national partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). The initiative will provide free, practical learning opportunities to help Canadians understand AI, use it responsibly and benefit from the opportunities it creates. Read more.
University of Alberta Native Studies launches new open online course – The University of Alberta has launched an open online course called Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Development. The course covers historical relationships, Indigenous governance, and ethical relationship-building. Learn more.
Mawachihitotaak: For Métis, it matters to say ‘let’s get together’ to share stories – The Métis are one of the most misunderstood Indigenous groups in Canada. The Canadian Constitution recognized “Aboriginal peoples of Canada includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada,” yet in practical terms, the Métis have continually fought, and continue to fight, to have their inherent rights as Indigenous people fully recognized. Read more.
Four Host Nations gift SFU’s Burnaby campus Indigenous place names – Working in partnership with Kwikwetlem, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Nations and Indigenous members of the university community, Simon Fraser University received Indigenous names for the Burnaby campus, the First Peoples’ Gathering House and three other locations on campus significant to Indigenous faculty, staff and students. Read more.
Ottawa extends successful program to recruit French-speaking international students – The federal government is extending a successful pilot project, the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, that helps francophone universities outside of Québec recruit international students. Read more.
Why Democracy Funders Canada – and why now – Democracy Funders Canada is a newly established national network of foundations working to strengthen philanthropy's contributions to a pluralist democracy. It provides a platform for funders to learn from one another, build relationships across difference, coordinate efforts, and collaborate to increase impact. Learn more.
AI just made the case for philosophy majors; the humanities should not waste it – As AI continues to advance, the humanities are becoming increasingly important for fostering ethical reasoning and human judgment. Rather than replacing HSS disciplines, AI reinforces the need to invest in and sustain them. Read more.
How Heated Rivalry, Off Campus and Shoresy are challenging hockey's old ideas – Hockey has made it big on the small screen. TV’s buzziest show, Heated Rivalry, debuted in late 2025, with Off Campus following in 2026. They join beloved Canadian show Shoresy, which has a sixth season going into production this fall. These shows all challenge traditional hockey culture in their own ways. Read more.