Research and advancements in the social sciences and humanities is vital for expanding our understanding and knowledge of individuals, groups, societies and the world. Such research can guide how we address economic, cultural, social, environmental and technological issues. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) recognizes and supports research excellence in these areas and awards individuals and groups with funding with the goal of building knowledge and understanding to better inform the research community as well as the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Funding is available to both emerging and established scholars for long-term research initiatives and may be undertaken by an individual researcher or a team of researchers working in collaboration.

Objectives of Insight program are to:

• Build knowledge and understanding from disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or cross-sector perspectives through support for the best researchers;

• Support new approaches to research on complex and important topics, including those that transcend the capacity of any one scholar, institution or discipline;

• Provide a high-quality research training experience for students;

• Fund research expertise that relates to societal challenges and opportunities; and

• Mobilize research knowledge, to and from academic and non-academic audiences, with the potential to lead to intellectual, cultural, social and economic influence, benefit and impact.

We are excited to have six faculty members in the college who have been awarded SSHRC Insight Grants this year, ranging from over $60,000 to $400,000.

Congratulations to the following Faculty!

Dr. Janine Clark, [1] Department of Political Science

LGBT-Rights Organizations and Strategic Decision-Making in the Middle East and North Africa. Dr. Clark’s proposed research examines the strategic dilemmas of the Middle East and North Africa LGBT activists face. Understanding the details of this issue will help us understand how we can support these groups.

Dr. Candace Johnson [2], Department of Political Science

The Politics of Global Maternal Health Initiatives. Dr. Johnson seeks to further understand the impact of global maternal health initiatives on aid-receiving communities, as it is poorly understood yet vital for the women and communities that are the targets of intervention.

Dr. [3]David MacDonald [3], [3] Department of Political Science

Complex Sovereignties: theories and Practices of Indigenous-Self Determination in Settler States and the International System. Dr. MacDonald’s research aims to better conceptualize Indigenous Peoples rights to self-determination in new, creative and innovative ways, which fully respect Indigenous laws, traditions, and nation-to-nation relationships with settler governments.

Dr. Tamara Small [4], Department of Political Science

Digital Campaigning in Canada: A Comparative Study. Dr. Small’s research seeks to explore digital campaigns in Canada in a comparative manner and looks the investigate how Canadian political parties employ digital technologies and what condition influence the utilization of digital technologies during the course of an election campaign.

Dr. Jennifer Silver [5], Department of Geography

Media convergence and environmental change: content providers and practices in the digital era.  Dr. Silver’s research will investigate who provides information about societal challenges related to environmental change, and how they do so, amid rapidly evolving media technologies and media economies.

Dr. Deborah Powell [6], Department of Psychology

Are job interviews missing the boat? Essential unanswered questions regarding interview anxiety. Allowing interview anxiety to sway an employer’s decision can cost the applicant as well as the employer in missed opportunities. Dr. Powell seeks to understand how interview anxiety is related to job performance and how interview anxiety negatively relates to interview performance.