Researchers, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at York University have been awarded more than $9.7 million from the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).The grants, part of over $200 million in funding and awards recently announced, will support York research that improves the quality of life of Canadians, while advancing knowledge and building understanding of complex socio-cultural and economic issues.
On Monday, Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science & technology) announced the significant investment by the Government of Canada in basic research and research training in the social sciences and humanities.
Gary Goodyear
“We are very pleased with SSHRC’s investment to support the work of York’s researchers in the Social Sciences & Humanities,” said, Robert Haché, York’s vice-president research & innovation. “This funding allows our researchers to grow and strengthen their innovative research programs while contributing to Canada’s knowledge base.”
Thirty-two York faculty members received more than $3.8 million to fund their research projects through SSHRC’s Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants programs. In the Insight Grants competition, York enjoyed an exceptional 39 per cent success rate, which is 12 per cent higher than the 
national success rate for the competition.
Robert Haché
The funding was granted for research covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Institutional changes and adaptive search behaviour of business groups in developing economies
- Industrialization, human capital and democracy
- Teaching for mathematical understanding: The potential of 'folding back' as a pedagogical tool
- Second generation success and marginalization: the impacts of race, gender and place on employment and social mobility
- Multilingualism and ethnic identity: An international perspective
- The roles of lead banks and institutional investors in secondary loan sales
- Modernist Literary Musics
Graduate students and doctoral fellows benefited from the announcements as well: 167 York master’s and doctoral students have won more than $5.8 million in scholarships and fellowships. More than 2,400 graduate and postdoctoral projects across Canada received funding.
“Canada’s position as a world leader in research excellence leads to discoveries, innovations and advanced skills that drive job creation and opportunities in the knowledge economy,” said Goodyear. “Through Economic Action Plan 2012, our government provided additional resources to support advanced research at universities and other leading research institutions, which will build on previous investments to further strengthen Canada’s research advantage.”
“This research is the key to innovation and to building knowledge for Canada’s future,” said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. “Through this funding support, we are generating insights and developing innovative solutions for today’s social, economic and cultural issues, while training the next generation of researchers and leaders.”
A complete list of SSHRC-funded projects is available on the SSHRC website.