(OTTAWA, November 22, 2010) – The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced a federal investment to increase the understanding of the state of knowledge on the digital economy.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) has awarded 25 Knowledge Synthesis Grants on the Digital Economy to scholars at 15 different universities across Canada, for a total investment of $562,000. The grants will enable these experts to bring together the knowledge available on public policy issues key to advancing the digital economy agenda, as well as to identify knowledge gaps in areas that are critical for Canada–from building digital skills to creating Canada's digital content advantage.
"Our government continues to invest in leading-edge research to improve the quality of life of Canadians and become leaders in the digital economy," said Minister Clement. "In the context of the Government of Canada's plans for a digital economy strategy, this research will contribute to building Canada's capacity to innovate using new and emerging information and communication technologies, as well as to build a world-class digital infrastructure."
"The social sciences and humanities have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to bring to bear on our understanding of all the critical dimensions–economic, social and cultural–of the digital world," said Chad Gaffield, President of SSHRC. "They are contributing to Canada's digital economy strategy by helping us understand the profound changes taking place now and into the future, and they are helping develop the approaches and policies that Canada needs to prosper, to compete globally, and to sustain an innovative and creative society."
The projects funded address digital economy topics identified in the consultation paper, Improving Canada's Digital Advantage: Strategies for Sustainable Prosperity, and include:
- the university e-textbook–Gérard Boismenu, Université de Montréal;
- digital scholarship for sustainable culture–Susan Brown, University of Guelph;
- improving Canada's digital advantage: building the digital talent pool and skills for tomorrow–Wendy Cukier, Ryerson University;
- computer games and Canada's digital economy–Sean Gouglas, University of Alberta;
- digital media and national innovation: Canadian strategies and international lessons–Carin Holroyd, University of Waterloo;
- protecting privacy rights in the emerging digital economy–Lesley Jacobs, York University;
- barriers and opportunities for engaging rural and remote communities in Canada's digital economy–Robert McLeman, University of Ottawa;
- an aboriginal connectivity strategy–Richard Smith, Simon Fraser University; and
- writing the digital economy: shifting contexts, practices and beliefs–Sean Wiebe, University of Prince Edward Island.
Full list of recipients
Note to editors: SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer review competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life.
For additional information on this release and other SSHRC-supported research projects, please contact:
Trevor Lynn
Communications Manager
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Tel.: 613-992-7302
trevor.lynn@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
Tel.: 613-995-9001
