Congress 2018

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About the University of Regina
Congress 2018 Theme
Convenors
Associations
Events
Videos
Highlights
Sponsors
Exhibitors

Congress 2017 was hosted by The University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan. The theme was “Gathering diversities.”

About the University of Regina:

Author James Pitsula calls the University of Regina a “child of the 1960s.” Informed by the spirit of student power and rebellion that permeated that decade, the University transformed itself from a junior college to what Pitsula called the “radical campus,” defined by its zealous commitment to liberal education and academic freedom.

Today, the University of Regina maintains that maverick spirit by supporting new ideas and innovations that are advancing the humanities and social sciences.

According to Maclean’s, the University of Regina has “established itself as an institution that thinks outside the box.”

Together with its Federated College partners – Campion College, Luther College and the First Nations University of Canada – the University of Regina is pushing the bounds of knowledge and pioneering new ways of thinking about the world. It has:

Ranked as the top Canadian comprehensive university in terms of the Normalized Citation Index, the pre-eminent measure of research quality published by Thomson Reuters InCites (2004 - 2014)
Received the top ranking in Canada for the number of international research collaborations (Research Infosource Inc., 2014)
Ranked in the Top 200 by Times Higher Education in the best Young Universities category among institutions worldwide under 50 years old or younger (2017)

Growing diversity is at the heart of these successes. Since 2009, the University of Regina has increased its international student population by 122 percent and its Indigenous student population by 84 percent. In addition, the University has the highest percentage nation-wide of graduate students from outside Canada (Maclean’s University Rankings, 2016). This diversity has made the University stronger by opening it up to a world of ideas.

The University’s main campus is situated on Treaty Four land and nestled in Canada’s largest urban park, Wascana. A short distance away is Regina’s thriving downtown area with all of its art galleries, museums, theater productions, live music, sports venues, lively pubs, and attractions such as the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the Regina Farmer’s Market. Labelled recently by the Globe and Mail as the “Okanagan of craft beer,” Regina offers the perfect blend of hospitality and urban energy that make it an ideally suited place to live, work and play.

For more information, please visit www.uregina.ca.

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Theme: Gathering diversities | mâmawinitotân nanâtohk-ayisiyiniwak

“Gathering diversities” reflects the University of Regina’s dynamic growth in post-secondary education and research, welcoming peoples from within Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world. This theme honours the history of the area as a traditional place of gathering, evoked in Regina’s original name, Wascana, or oskana kâ-asastêki – where the bones are gathered, referring to the region’s heritage as rich buffalo hunting grounds for a multitude of Plains cultures. Today, at the University of Regina, and arguably for people everywhere in Canada, education is our new buffalo.

‘Gathering’ evokes the idea of bringing people together in the spirit of building community. Diversity, in turn, is what has allowed Saskatchewan to thrive even in times of economic adversity, emerging as a national leader in resource development, population growth, social progress and Indigenous education. The way forward for Canada and for all Canadians is to continue gathering diversities. Congress 2018 at the University of Regina will add momentum to this endeavour.

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Convenors

André Magnan, Academic Convenor

André Magnan is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Studies at the University of Regina. His research and teaching interests include the sociology of agrifood systems, globalization and development, and sociological theory. Dr. Magnan's research examines how social, economic, and political changes are affecting the agricultural sector and rural communities. He has written about the history and politics of grain marketing on the Canadian prairies and the financialization of farmland in Canada and Australia.

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Associations

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Videos

Big Thinking

The Big Thinking lecture series is held throughout Congress and brings together leading scholars and public figures who present forward-thinking research, ideas and solutions to the critical questions and issues of our time. The 2018 Big Thinking lecture series is organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the University of Regina, with the generous support of series sponsors.

	On the Front Lines: Indigenous women and climate change Melina Laboucan-Massimo Saturday May 26, 2018 Watch the video
	Thinking about war Margaret McMillan, C.C. Sunday May 27, 2018 Watch the video
	Diversity and reconciliation Marie Wilson, C.M., O.N.W.T. Monday May 28, 2018 Watch the video
	Gender in Canada: Are we really making progress? Antonia Maioni Tuesday May 29, 2018 Watch the video - in French
	The responsabilities of scholars in public debate: Challenging intuitive ethical considerations Françoise Baylis, C.M., O.N.S. Thursday May 31, 2017 Watch the video
	Leadership and sustainable peace-building Alaa Murabit, M.D. Thursday May 31, 2018 Watch the video

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Events

Download the Congress Essentials Guide(PDF) for a listing of events that were open to all attendees.

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Congress 2018 highlights

Congress 2018 brought together 5,200 scholars, students and members of the public to share perspectives, discuss ideas and build connections at Canada’s largest academic conference. Hosted by the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Congress 2018 took place from May 26 to June 1. This year’s theme, “Gathering diversities | mâmawinitotân nanâtohk-ayisiyiniwak,” sparked important conversations around community, inclusivity and reconciliation in Canada. In the span of one week, more than 4,000 papers were presented by researchers from 66 associations and over 200 free events were open to attendees and the general public:

The first ever all-women Big Thinking lecture series featured six leading scholars and public figures presenting forward-thinking research, ideas and solutions to the critical questions and issues of our time.
The University of Regina offered an unprecedented lineup of cultural and community-based programming, including musical concerts, walking tours, a creative writing exhibition, a book launch, an introduction to powwow and more.
More than 40 reconciliation-themed events focused on the role the humanities and social sciences can play in addressing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A highlight was a keynote address by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde on education being the key to reconciliation.
The Career Corner professional development series of 17 workshops to help academics of all levels to advance their careers, publish and market their research, and improve their lesson planning and teaching skills.
See highlight photos

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, attended Congress and made a major funding announcement regarding $158.4 million for 808 research projects across Canada. The Minister’s message was clear: the disciplines of the humanities and social sciences are key to building a stronger Canada.

This was Minister Duncan’s second time attending Congress, and she seized the occasion to watch the Storytellers Competition, tour the Expo tradeshow floor, hold an invitation-only roundtable on Women in the Humanities and Social Sciences and participate in the 40th birthday celebration of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

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Congress media

Congress 2018 was widely covered by regional and national media, with over 140 media stories running in online, print, radio and TV outlets. The following are but some of the most noteworthy media highlights: