Yesterday's Globe and Mail contained an op-ed by David Naylor (President, University of Toronto) and Stephen Toope (President, University of British Columbia). Outlining seven "innovation nostrums," they argue that Canada's productivity gap can't be fixed by quick solutions. Rather, creating a national culture of innovation requires sustained investments and thorough planning. They highlight the role the social sciences and humanities can play, articulating how graduates from all disciplines can foster creativity and innovation.

In a letter sent to the editor, CFHSS President Noreen Golfman concurs with their conclusions:

It is refreshing to see our senior academic leaders challenging tired mantras. University of Toronto President David Naylor and University of British Columbia President Stephen Toope (Don’t swallow...

“A degree will help you get ahead” – so many young Canadians have been told. But with crippling debt and high tuition costs, the cost of getting post-secondary education can become higher than the benefits.

And, as Roseann O’Reilly Runte points out in a recent Globe and Mail piece, these disincentives for attending post-secondary education actually end up hurting society as a whole. President of Carleton University, Dr. Runte argues that without access to education, our world would be “a hotbed of strife.” Education, on the other hand, promotes civic engagement and connections to the community, leading to richer experiences and better wellbeing for students and community members alike.

While Canada has excellent education available, Dr. Runte calls for continued support in providing access to education. In turn, she argues...

Dans son discours aux participants à l’assemblée générale réunie à Ottawa à la fin du mois de mars, la présidente de la Fédération, Noreen Golfman, a réfléchi sur le travail du chercheur dans une perspective citoyenne.   Selon Mme Golfman, la Fédération est un milieu de réflexion où les membres s’intéressent davantage à leur action citoyenne qu’à leur carrière, davantage à ce qu’ils peuvent partager qu’à ce qu’ils méritent. Plus précisément, elle a examiné le rôle de la Fédération en vue de favoriser un sens du devoir collectif — c’est-à-dire aller au-delà de ce que Donald Hall, dans son œuvre The Academic Community: A Manual for Change, appelle le moi universitaire et penser plus généreusement à faire partie d’une collectivité universitaire.

Dans un monde qui favorise trop souvent l’innovation technologique et les extrants, Mme Golfman a également rappelé l’importance pour les sciences sociales et humaines d’éviter d’être perçues comme marginales...

The Federation would like to extend deep congratulations to Malinda S. Smith, vice-president of Equity Issues, on receiving the Anti-Racism Award 2010 (individual category). Awarded by the Centre for Race and Culture (formerly the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations), the Anti-Racism Award recognizes contributions to end racism in Edmonton. The award will be presented as part of the CRC’s gala banquet marking the International Day for the Elimination of Discrimination. Malinda’s work on critical approaches to race, gender and social justice has connected her to the university and beyond. Here at the Federation, she most recently launched the Equity Matters online conversation, consisting of blog posts from academics across Canada exploring current equity issues.

Malinda has also been the driving force behind bringing equity issues to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Science - where she has led the...