(Montreal, October 15, 2013)—Five scholars from Canadian universities have been awarded prestigious Impact Awards from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for their achievements in research, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities.
Gold Medal – $100,000
Winner: Barry Smit – University of Guelph
Dr. Barry Smit is recognized as a pioneer internationally for his work on the human dimensions of climate change. He is one of the first scholars to analyze the economic impact of climate change. His novel approach has influenced public policy in Canada, Norway and China, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. He has advised governments and organizations across Canada and around the world. An international recognition for Smit has been his nomination has lead author of the 2007 climate change report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Talent Award – $50,000
Winner: Hadley Friedland – University of Alberta
Legal scholar Hadley Friedland of the University of Alberta had a goal that, one day, aboriginal laws would be given the same respect and authority as Canada’s Common Law or Quebec’s civil code. To that end, she developed a method for investigating indigenous legal principles with the same rigour that is required for engaging with federal and provincial laws. Her master’s thesis is now required course reading at the University of Victoria, York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Alberta.
Insight Award – $50,000
Winner: Marguerite MacKenzie – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Marguerite MacKenzie has worked for over 40 years in capacity-building in Cree, Innu and Naskapi communities. Her research project, Knowledge and Human Resources for Innu Language Development, has led to the creation of pivotal tools to help preserve the Innu language, including an Innu-English-French dictionary, educational materials, and lexicons of legal, environmental and medical terms. Her project has directly contributed to improved access to government services, through better-quality interpretation and translation.
Connection Award – $50,000
Winner: Michael Geist – University of Ottawa
Michael Geist, of the University of Ottawa, used his project, The Future of Copyright Law in Canada, to play a key role in identifying “Made-in-Canada” copyright policies that address both user and creator concerns. Geist led the policy debate, putting emphasis on knowledge dissemination, open access, multimedia and policy engagement. He spread his research far and wide by using his website, a blog, editorials in popular newspapers, and a documentary film, as well as through effective use of social media, such as the Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group.
Partnership Award – $50,000
Winner: George Nicholas – Simon Fraser University
George Nicholas leads the Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage (IPinCH) research project, a knowledge mobilization network established in 2008. This international collective of archaeologists, indigenous organizations, lawyers, anthropologists, ethicists and policy-makers is recognized as the leading source of research, knowledge and resources to facilitate fair and equitable exchanges relating to heritage objects, ancestral sites and artifacts and cultural knowledge. Nicholas’s work has led to the creation of 15 successful partnerships with indigenous communities across Canada and around the world.
“The outstanding achievements of these researchers, students and research partners illustrate how the social sciences and humanities help create a better world through improved understanding of people in the past and present,” said Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. “I am very proud that the excellence of their scholarly work, as well as their exceptional leadership in sharing their knowledge and collaborating with others both on campus and beyond are being recognized today. I would also like to congratulate all the finalists and to thank the many Canadian institutions who nominated stellar candidates for these inaugural awards.”
The winners were selected by a jury from among a highly competitive list of candidates submitted by Canadian postsecondary institutions. The Impact Awards were presented at the World Social Science Forum in Montreal.
See the list of SSHRC Impact Awards finalists.
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