SSHRC Leaders Network —Terms of Reference
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Mandate
The SSHRC Leaders network is an external body that provides an ongoing channel of communication and engagement between the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Canadian universities, as well as amongst universities. Communication between Leaders and SSHRC feeds into the development of SSHRC policies and programs, and responds to items of importance to the social sciences and humanities research community.
SSHRC and members of the SSHRC Leaders network commit to:
- operating the network as an open forum for exchange;
- sharing information in a timely manner;
- continuously engaging and consulting; and
- respecting the diversity of views amongst institutions.
Membership
The network is composed of representatives from Canadian universities that are eligible to administer SSHRC funds for graduate training and research. Leaders are nominated by the president or a senior delegate of their institution to represent the parent and affiliate institutions with graduate training and research mandates. Leaders may be selected from all career levels and must be knowledgeable about matters relating to social sciences and humanities research and/or the administration of training, research programs, and policies. SSHRC is committed to increasing equitable and inclusive participation in the research ecosystem, including the SSHRC Leaders network. In this regard, universities are expected to consider diversity in their appointment of a SSHRC Leader.
Role of SSHRC Leaders
With the full support of their institution, Leaders serve as a liaison with researchers and students in a broad range of social sciences and humanities disciplines at their institutions.
Leaders are expected to:
- actively participate in SSHRC Leaders meetings;
- represent their institutions in consultations, working groups and strategic initiatives;
- contribute to SSHRC and tri-agency merit review processes, and support merit review engagement at their institutions;
- share information about SSHRC’s strategic priorities, policies and program developments with their institutions; and
- facilitate interactions and communications with SSHRC, from their institutions and the scholarly community, related to research trends, training, knowledge mobilization and ideas for collaboration.
Term
Each SSHRC Leader serves a five-year term with the possibility for renewal (to a maximum of two terms or 10 consecutive years). Institutions are encouraged to identify a successor in the last year of a Leader’s term, to allow for mentorship activities. If a successor cannot be identified, Leaders may serve for an additional term.
If the appointed Leader begins an extended leave of absence or is no longer able to hold their position, a new Leader should be appointed. Institutions must communicate membership changes to the SSHRC Leaders Secretariat.
Meetings
The SSHRC Leaders network meets twice per year, in the spring and in the fall, with additional consultations scheduled as necessary.
Exceptionally, Leaders may appoint a delegate to attend a meeting on their behalf. Delegates should hold a position of sufficient authority to represent their institution, and be briefed on the topics to be discussed in advance.
Supporting documentation is posted on the secure SSHRC Leaders extranet site.
Role of SSHRC
The SSHRC Leaders Secretariat (leaders@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca) is responsible for coordinating internally and sharing information of interest to the Leaders, their institutions and the wider research community. The Secretariat also manages the network’s membership, meetings and working groups.
Members of SSHRC’s executive and management teams represent SSHRC on specific policy and program items during discussions with SSHRC Leaders. Regular updates on the Leaders network are provided to SSHRC’s governing council through the vice-president, Strategy, Communications and Performance.
As a federal agency, SSHRC ensures that all messages and documents distributed to the Leaders will be transmitted in both official languages.
The Secretariat will review the SSHRC Leaders Network Terms of Reference periodically.