January 2015

Nour Aoude, Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Our daily work at the Federation is a reminder of how important the humanities and social sciences are to our success as an innovative and democratic society. We know very well that, without the self-reflection and criticism provided by the SSH, our public life and policy-making would be much impoverished.

But is this message being communicated effectively to young people who are deciding what to do next? Are there resources available to high school students explaining the value of a university degree? Do university students understand the important role that the SSH can play in their education?

With some effort, we have managed to find excellent resources for high school and university students. Below are some of our...

Live an unforgettable experience in the heart of the national capital: this is what awaits some 350 volunteers that the University of Ottawa and the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences hope to recruit for the 2015 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, an event of international calibre. From May 30 to June 5, the University of Ottawa campus will be abuzz with over 8000 Congress attendees, who will enjoy a great stay thanks to volunteers who will help them settle into residences, find their way around campus, register for events, and provide catering and audio-visual support. The success of Congress 2015 depends on their invaluable support.

In return, volunteers will be at the centre of the largest...

Here is our list of the most interesting news articles about the humanities, social sciences and higher education from the past week:

Higher Education

PhD Graduates in Canada
Conference Board of Canada

How is Canada’s PSE system doing?
University Affairs

New Job on Campus: Expanding Ph.D. Career Options (subscriber content)
The Chronicle of Higher Education

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Nour Aoude, Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Even without the onslaught of a hellish ice front and ear-snapping temperatures of -15 degrees, curling up with a good book can be a great way to spend the winter holidays. This winter, my sage-buds were tingling for a certain approfondissement about the world I lived in. In fact, I wanted to get some facts straight about the history of Islam, particularly the smaller and more mysterious Shi’i branch of the religion. So alongside my usual pilgrimage to Terry Pratchett's endlessly fascinating, but much less spherical, Discworld, I picked up an academic book. Yes, an academic...