(Ottawa, November 25, 2011) — The 2011 SSHRC Gold Medal for Achievement in Research was awarded today to Constance Backhouse in a ceremony at the University of Ottawa. The prestigious prize is awarded each year by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to an outstanding individual whose leadership, dedication and originality of thought have significantly advanced understanding in his or her field of research. This prize is accompanied by a $100,000 research grant to further advance their world-class research.
“The SSHRC Gold Medal is the Council’s highest research honour,” said SSHRC president Chad Gaffield. “Professor Backhouse has been an influential leader in the interdisciplinary study of law,” he continued. “Her work has illuminated valuable lessons to be learned in the struggle for social justice, and enriched our understanding of Canada’s legal history and our sense of equality and justice.”
Since Backhouse began her career in the study of law more than 30 years ago, her chosen topics have been issues of major importance in Canada’s legal history: the legal status of women, the role of women in the legal profession, and racism in the legal system. Her research and analysis of these topics have highlighted an important part of our legal and societal history, which, in turn, has helped enrich our understanding of our current legal framework.
Throughout her career, Backhouse has received high acclaim for her research from both academic and non-academic communities. Among her many awards and honours are the Killam Prize (2008), a Trudeau Fellowship (2006-09), the Order of Canada (2008), and the Order of Ontario (2010). In 2007, she became the first non-American historian to be elected president of the American Society for Legal History.
Backhouse has authored numerous critically acclaimed books, including Legal history of Racism in Canada, which was awarded the 2002 Joseph Brant award by the Ontario Historical Society as the “best book in multicultural history published within the past three years.” Carnal Crimes: Sexual Assault Law in Canada, 1900-1975, published in 2009, was lauded as one of the most important texts ever published on sexual assault law. In honour of her distinguished contribution to law and letters in Canada, Backhouse was awarded the David W. Mundell Medal by the attorney general of Ontario this past spring.
Known for her vibrant, narrative style of writing, Backhouse’s work has not only impressed and enriched the academic community but has touched the broader Canadian public as well. Her research has been featured in many documentary films and she is a regular commentator in Canadian media. Her ability to connect her research to the broader community ensures that the important stories of the courageous women and men who stood up for the marginalized in our society are recognized and remembered.
“Professor Backhouse is an inspiration to the next generation of scholars,” remarked SSHRC's president Gaffield. “The importance of her research, and the energy and dedication with which she carries it out, encourage and inspire young scholars in disciplines that extend beyond law. This is what the Gold Medal seeks to reward—an enduring energy and contribution to not only a body of research, but to everyone around her and to the broader Canadian society.”
In addition to the SSHRC Gold Medal for Achievement in Research, SSHRC recently awarded the Aurora Prize to James Stewart of The University of British Columbia, the SSHRC Postdoctoral Prize to May Chazan of the University of Toronto, and the William E. Taylor Fellowship for doctoral studies to Agnès Blais of Université Laval. Each SSHRC prize winner is selected by a rigorous peer-review process, and prize funds are directed to research activities. More information about SSHRC prize winners may be found on the SSHRC website.
In 2010-11, SSHRC awarded over 4,000 new grants, fellowships and scholarships. This funding included direct support to 1,610 new full-time master’s students and 982 new doctoral candidates.
SSHRC is the federal agency that promotes and supports post-secondary research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs and policies, the Council enables the highest levels of research excellence in Canada and facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration across all sectors of society.
For additional information on this release and other SSHRC research projects, please contact:
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