Briefing Materials for the SSHRC President’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR)

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Table of Contents

• General Information
• Committee Profile
• SSHRC Opening Remarks (English)
• Mot d’ouverture du CRSH (Français)
• Q&A Material
  • Global Talent
  • Pandemic Response / Economic Recovery
  • Online Disinformation
  • Naylor Report
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Truth and Reconciliation
  • Official Languages
  • Tri-agency file—Laurentian University
  • International / Research Security
• Annex A—Committee Member Information
• Annex E—Sample of SSHRC-funded researchers of potential interest to the SRSR
• Annex F—Sample of projects from the NFRF Transformation 2020 competition

General Information

When: February 15, 2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Study: Successes, challenges and opportunities for science in Canada and to develop recommendations as to how to improve the current state of science research nationally.

Allocated time: Max of 5 minutes per presenter for opening comments (total of 15 mins for opening remarks and 45 mins for questions since CFI is appearing on February 8).

“That at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows for the first round: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party. For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five minutes, Liberal Party, five minutes, Bloc Québécois, two and a half minutes, New Democratic Party, two and a half minutes, Conservative Party, five minutes and Liberal Party, five minutes.

Materials: “Witnesses be given five minutes for their opening statement; that whenever possible, witnesses provide the committee with their opening statement 72 hours in advance”

“That only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee provided the documents are in both official languages, and that the witnesses be advised accordingly.”

Present at the table—appearance order:

• Dr. Alejandro Adem, President of NSERC and Chair of the CRCC
• Dr. Ted Hewitt, President of SSHRC
• Dr. Michael Strong, President of CIHR
• Note: Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte, CEO of CFI presented on February 8

Committee Profile

Mandate

The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research includes, among other matters, reviewing and reporting on all matters relating to science and research, including any reports of the Chief Science Advisor, and any other matter which the House refers to the standing committee.

Current Members

Chair:

• Kirsty Duncan (Liberal)

Vice-Chairs:

• Corey Tochor (Conservative)
• Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Bloc Québécois)

Members:

• Tony Baldinelli (Conservative)
• Valerie Bradford (Liberal)
• Richard Cannings (NDP)
• Chad Collins (Liberal)
• Lena Metlege Diab (Liberal)
• Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal)
• Ron McKinnon (Liberal)
• Gerald Soroka (Conservative)
• Ryan Williams (Conservative)

SSHRC Opening Remarks (English)

Opening remarks for Ted Hewitt, president, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

To appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research

February 15, 2022

[Check against delivery]

Thank you, Madam Chair, for your invitation to appear before this Committee, and for your longstanding leadership in science and research.

I am proud to appear before you today as president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council since 2015. I have also held a career as an academic, working in Canada and internationally, including for many years as a senior university administrator, principally in research.

In these various roles, I have had the privilege to observe, from different perspectives, many changes in the Canadian research system, over more than three decades.

Major investments in key national research programs at the beginning of this century have created a solid foundation for attracting and keeping talent in Canada, building research skills within our nation, and providing Canada’s research ecosystem the breath it needed to live, grow and thrive. Subsequent research investments from successive governments since that time have helped ensure the health of this ecosystem.

I believe that Canada’s research system today is robust. This system rests on three key pillars critical to its stability and success. First is the research—the projects, formulation and execution of research plans. Second is the people—not just the researchers, but the new research talent being developed. Third are the research tools—the infrastructure and equipment. Thanks to investments in a good balance of fundamental and strategic research over the past several decades, and enhanced coordination within the research enterprise in recent years thanks to the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, Canada is well served in all three pillars.

Could the system be strengthened? Absolutely. The research enterprise—and society—have awakened to the critical need to break down the real barriers that exist to equity, diversity and inclusion; and to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through strengthening Indigenous research capacity and research training. We must continue to advance multidisciplinary and international collaborations, and effective channels to mobilize research knowledge. Because, we need the contribution of all Canadians to generate, deliver and share research if we are going to avoid jeopardizing innovation, technologies, commercial products and sound public policy.

As head of SSHRC, I want to emphasize the critical role research in the social sciences and humanities plays in maximizing the benefits of science. The social sciences and humanities encompass a broad range of research fields, all of them about people.

Innovation, for example, is not just about technology and patents. Development, implementation, marketing and adoption are all human factors, in which social sciences and humanities elements play key roles. Science and technology do not implement themselves, nor do they themselves decide the value of pursuing particular technological paths. People do. And that is where social sciences and humanities research, which helps understand people and societies, is essential.

Canadian social sciences and humanities research is helping address some of the most critical challenges we face as a society, domestically and globally—be it pandemic recovery, economic growth, environmental sustainability, affordable housing, Reconciliation. Fundamentally, it’s about building and sustaining a just and prosperous society.

People are at the heart of what drives our future. Let’s capitalize on Canada’s strength in social sciences and humanities research and talent to build the Canada we want for today and tomorrow.

Thank you.

Q&A Material

The following are issues in which the Committee members have demonstrated an interest or are issues that intersect with SSHRC and tri-agency interests.

Global Talent

1. What is SSHRC doing to help Canada attract and retain talent in the context of increasing global competition?

   Answer:

   • SSHRC, and other granting agencies, are taking several actions to attract and retain talent to help drive science and innovation, and help ensure a sustainable and equitable post-pandemic economic recovery in Canada.
   • First, SSHRC continues to support researchers and students at Canadian institutions through various research and talent funding opportunities. In 2020-2021, SSHRC supported:
     • over 4,800 students directly through scholarships and fellowships;
     • more than 24,000 researchers directly; and
     • approximately 5,200 additional students indirectly through grants at postsecondary institutions across Canada.
   • Second, SSHRC, on behalf the granting agencies, administers internationally recognized funding opportunities such as the new competitions of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund which draws leading scientists from around the globe to Canada. SSHRC also administers the Canada Research Chairs. This program invests approximately $295M per year to attract and retain world-class researchers, to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canadian postsecondary institutions. This program supports research in various areas that can contribute to Canada's global competitiveness and well-being.
   • Thirdly, the granting agencies are also developing a Talent Strategy to renew and guide our investments in scholarships and fellowships. Tri-agency investments in research talent ensures Canada can address the labour shortage, fill next-generation jobs in emerging industries, fuel the recovery and improve diversity in the talent pipeline. SSHRC, in collaboration with other granting agencies, is also working to increase opportunities for Indigenous students, through the implementation of a strategy to promote Indigenous research and research training.

Pandemic Response / Economic Recovery

2. How did SSHRC contribute to Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

   Answer:

   • At the onset of the pandemic, SSHRC quickly refocused its priorities to support ongoing research and launched several special calls, by itself and in cooperation with other agencies, to support the research community and Canada’s response to the pandemic.
   • For example, SSHRC launched research funding opportunities to provide short-term and timely support for small-scale ($25K), stakeholder-driven partnerships between academics and partners in public, private and not-for-profit sectors with a special focus on COVID-19 issues. SSHRC also participated in a joint call led by CIHR with participation of other granting organizations to support research examining and developing solutions to address issues related to COVID-19, including diagnostics, disease forecasting, public health, public policy, education, community engagement and global coordination.
   • SSHRC administered the delivery of the $415 million Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund, which provided critical wage support during the pandemic for some 32,000 research staff and helped 22,000 research projects to cover unanticipated maintenance and ramp-up costs. This temporary program helped sustain the research enterprise at Canadian universities and health research institutions while reducing the negative impacts of the pandemic.
   • SSHRC provided research supplements to active grants, provided no-cost extensions to most active grants, and was flexible with its deadlines to minimize disruption to research activities and interruptions in employment for research training personnel.
3. What is the role of SSHRC and SSH research in Canada’s post-pandemic recovery?

   Answer:

   • SSH research can help shed light on the human dimension of pressing challenges facing Canada today, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery, vaccine hesitancy and online disinformation, climate change and biodiversity loss, systemic discrimination, affordable housing, growing geopolitical rivalries, rising authoritarianism, and the impact of AI and quantum computing.
     • For example, the research of Dr. André Blais, who is a recipient of the 2021 SSHRC Impact Awards, has provided invaluable insights into citizens’ voting decisions and populations at risk of disenfranchisement, including youth and racialized groups. Two of his projects were among the biggest ever funded by SSHRC and both have directly impacted how Canada and other countries run, and are reforming, their electoral systems.
   • Innovation is often seen as inherently technological. But many other types of innovation are needed to extract value from our world: business model innovation, social innovation, administrative innovation, and organizational innovation, which all relate to a variety of non-technological areas and where the SSH play a big role.
     • For example, Dr. Dan Breznitz, a SSHRC-funded scholar, recently published a book titled “Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World”.
   • SSHRC’s role in the development of research skills can also contribute to a green and inclusive recovery. SSHRC’s support for students and early career researchers helps train the next generation of researchers and leaders that will drive innovation and growth in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, as well as help address systemic barriers to equitable participation in these sectors.
     • In 2020-21, SSHRC supported over 4,800 students directly through scholarships and fellowships and approximately 5,200 additional students indirectly through research grants at postsecondary institutions across Canada.
     • Among the trainees whose SSHRC funding ended and who found employment in 2020-21, 61% reported going on to work in a research position.
   • Through joint initiatives with government and non-profit organizations, SSHRC can leverage the SSH research community to help inform evidence-based decision making.
     • For example, SSHRC funded a series of knowledge mobilization initiatives and convened forum discussions among researchers and policymakers that addressed the impact of the pandemic on key global challenges, including Skills and Work in the Digital Economy, Mobility and Public Transit, as well as the environment and climate change.
   • Lastly, SSHRC, on behalf of other granting agencies, also administers tri-agency programs which fund some of the most ambitious and cutting-edge research on Canada’s biggest challenges.
     • For example, SSHRC administers the Canada Biomedical Research Fund which will deliver $250M over 4 years, announced in [B]udget 2021, to enhance Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity and pandemic readiness as part of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy.
     • SSHRC, on behalf of the three granting councils, has also recently launched [a] Special Call under the New Frontiers [in] Research Fund program to support projects aligned with the UN Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery. The roadmap identifies a set of top research priorities needed to support an equitable global recovery, including the transition to greener and more sustainable economies.

Online Disinformation

4. What is SSHRC/the granting councils [doing] to understand and address the issue of online disinformation and the erosion of trust in science in parts of the Canadian population?

   Answer:

   • Debate and skepticism are essential components of both democracy and science. However, debates can be misled when based on false or incomplete information, often originating from the internet.
   • Accordingly, SSHRC is making several efforts to address the issue of online disinformation in Canada and to promote scientific literacy:
     • SSHRC supports research on understanding and addressing disinformation through open competitions and targeted initiatives. For example, SSHRC partnered with Canadian Heritage to launch the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research which promotes research on the impacts of online disinformation in Canada in order to better inform programs and policies. SSHRC also supported several projects on disinformation as part of its Partnership Engage Grants funding competitions on COVID-19.
     • SSHRC also funds scientific knowledge mobilization efforts, namely through connection grants which fund outreach activities to promote research and exchange knowledge between academia and other sectors of society, including on the topic of online disinformation and its impact in the Canadian context.

Naylor Report

5. How have the granting councils contributed to implementing the recommendations of the 2017 Naylor Report, namely the need for greater coordination between the granting councils?

   Answer:

   • As per recommendation 4.10 of the Naylor report, the CRCC was established and brings together leaders from key organizations in the Government of Canada’s research ecosystem and helping to bridge a gap that previously existed. Namely, the committee members work to achieve greater harmonization, integration and coordination of research-related programs and policies and to address issues of common concern to the granting agencies and the CFI.
   • CRCC members also work together to strengthen Canada's ability to grow in the rapidly evolving global research landscape while focusing on key priority areas such as strengthening equity and diversity in research; increasing the capacity of Indigenous communities to conduct research and partner with the broader research community, and improving support for the next generation of scientists and scholars.
   • SSHRC, and other granting councils, are continuously organizing knowledge mobilization and joint initiatives in collaboration with government organizations to support evidence-based decision making. This includes on public mobility, immigration, housing, environment sustainability and Indigenous knowledge.
6. Should the granting councils provide more investigator-led research relative [to] government priority-led research?

   Answer:

   • As mentioned in my remarks, fundamental research is [the] foundation of a strong research ecosystem. Curiosity-driven research has fueled invaluable discoveries which have in [turn] contributed to greater understanding of some of the most important issues in Canada.
   • SSHRC funds investigator-led research, undertaken by individuals and academic teams as well as in larger partnerships. Research in the social sciences and humanities provides the foundation for a vibrant, healthy and prosperous society. It advances knowledge and builds understanding about individuals, groups and societies—what we think, how we live, and how we interact with each other and the world around us.
   • That is why sustained investments are essential to sustain the momentum in science and ensure a robust funding-base for investigator-led research. This would also support the Canadian Research Coordinating Committee’s priorities on measures such as improved access to funding to early career researchers (ECR[s]); fostering an inclusive access to research funds; strengthening Indigenous research; and supporting interdisciplinary and international research.
   • That being said, there are areas where priority-led research is critical and contributes to finding solutions to challenges such as climate change and post-pandemic recovery. At SSHRC, both are compatible. We fund extensive research through open competitions on researcher-led topics as well as targeted initiatives. We support the critical mass so that they can respond when there is a need (such as a pandemic) where research takes time to deliver outcomes. In order to be ready for any emergency and crisis we need a strong academic force that can respond to any priority driven call. To that end, we also deliver many joint opportunities with different organizations in Canada and abroad.
7. What is SSHRC and other granting councils doing to support multi/interdisciplinary research?

   Answer:

   • The granting councils recognize that many domestic and global challenges cannot be solved by one discipline alone. Accordingly, the granting councils are committed to supporting interdisciplinary research, both for investigator-initiated and priority-driven projects, in line with recommendation 6.5 of the Naylor report.
   • To that end, the three research funding agencies have launched the Tri-agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee as a one-year pilot program. It will provide an option for researchers working in interdisciplinary research to direct their applications to a committee composed of experts from across the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences.
   • On behalf of the CRCC, SSHRC also continues to support interdisciplinary research, namely through the tri-agency New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) which is designed to fund and promote world-leading interdisciplinary, international, high-risk / high-reward, transformative and rapid-response Canadian-led research.
     • Since the launch of the NFRF program in 2018, the granting councils have awarded nearly 500 grants and over $278M to support interdisciplinary research through the program’s various streams: exploration, transformation, international and special calls.
     • Through the inaugural competition of the NFRF Transformation stream, seven Canadian-led research teams were recently awarded $144 million over six years to promote advances in various scientific fields, including next-generation organ transplantation, spinal cord repair, repurposing marine by-products, biodiversity tracing, bio-conservation to improve Indigenous health and well-being, protection of metallic surfaces, and inclusive design for employment access.
       • For example, the Ărramăt: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Indigenous-Led Conservation and Sustainable Relationships with Biodiversity initiative led by Brenda Parlee at the University of Alberta with a value of $24 million, which is aimed at building capacity within Indigenous communities to document and mobilize knowledge about biodiversity-well-being in ways that are recognized by regional-national-global institutions of biodiversity conservation.
     • To support Canadian participation in large international research projects, the NFRF also awarded grants to Canadian research teams engaged in successful European Union “Horizon 2020” projects on topics ranging from vaccine hesitancy to the capture of inorganic contaminants and “energy citizenship.”
   • SSHRC is also increasingly supporting interdisciplinary research through its own programs, in particular to address complex and urgent global challenges like climate change and environmental sustainability.
     • For example, SSHRC recently developed the Imagining Canada’s Future Ideas Lab a two-year pilot project designed to stimulate and fund innovative interdisciplinary research collaborations on the topic of the Circular Economy. The research projects will contribute to a better understanding of the environmental impacts of existing linear systems of production and consumption and aim to offer sustainable alternatives, supporting a greener economy and a healthier society.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

8. What are the granting councils doing to address systemic inequities and discrimination in Canada, particularly in the research ecosystem?

   Answer:

   • Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada’s research ecosystem is a top priority for the granting agencies as detailed in the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan which is focused on two main objectives:
     • First, ensuring fair access to tri-agency research support
     • Second, promoting equitable participation in the research system
   • To achieve these objectives, SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR have launched several EDI initiatives. For example, SSHRC has created an external Advisory Committee to Address Anti-Black Racism which has the objective of providing advice on actions to ensure equitable access and greater participation for Black students and scholars within SSHRC research and research training programs. The granting agencies have also worked to implement a harmonized approach to the collection of self-identification data of participants in our funding programs. This data allows the granting agencies to identify and address systemic barriers and inform decision-making on agency policies and funding programs.
     • For example, the Canada Research Chairs program has the same success rates since we introduced population level targets for the four designated groups, indicating the same level of excellence with a much more diversified group of chairholders.
   • The data is also publicly available through online dashboards so that the research community and the Canadian public can monitor progress on these efforts and hold the granting agencies accountable.
   • SSHRC has a track record of funding a significant amount of research and research training on topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion, both through open competitions and targeted initiatives. Between 2015 and 2019, SSHRC awarded $360M, representing roughly 17% of its total research awards, on various topics, including women in STEM, LGBTQ2+ and education, diversity and inclusion at the workplace, harassment and gender-based violence, and accessibility and disability. More recently, SSHRC launched the Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative which will invest $12 million to support community-based and community-led research partnerships with postsecondary institutions with the aim to understand and address the causes and persistence of systemic racism and discrimination.
9. How are the granting councils balancing the need for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in the research ecosystem with other considerations in their award decisions, including scientific merit?

   Context: a recent article in the National Post reported a McGill researcher (who is a member of a visible minority) who was refused funding for his application to an NSERC grant and before that NFRF, both on the grounds of “lack of diversity” in his research team, before reaching the merit review stage. The issue of merit was also raised by SRSR Committee member in a prior meeting.

   Answer:

   • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and scientific merit are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, these are mutually reinforcing concepts that are vital for the Canadian research enterprise and society at large.
   • By working to address systemic barriers within the Canadian research ecosystem, the granting councils can better ensure that all researchers have equitable opportunities to participate in the research enterprise. EDI considerations are a part of good research practice and good research design, and ultimately serve Canada’s excellence in research and innovation.
   • SSHRC has implemented new EDI-related considerations for funding opportunities that will reflect the importance of EDI in research practice and research design. These funding opportunities include in Partnership Grants and Doctoral and Postdoctoral Awards.

Truth and Reconciliation

10. What has SSHRC and the granting agencies done to support Indigenous research and advance truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada?

    Answer:

    • As an ongoing priority for the Canada Research Coordination Committee, the granting agencies co-developed, in dialogue with Indigenous groups, a strategy for Indigenous research and research training. The strategy was published in 2020 and the agencies have established key governance bodies needed to pursue the implementation of the strategy, such as the development of a Reference Group composed of 18 Indigenous scholars to provide guidance on the culturally appropriate review of research conducted by and with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
    • A similar process is underway to select the membership of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research to advise the three agencies and CFI on the implementation of the strategic plan and matters related to Indigenous research. We look forward to welcoming members of the new Leadership Circle in the months ahead.
    • SSHRC is committed to advancing the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in particular Call to Action 65. Earlier this month, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and SSHRC proudly announced their partnership on the launch of a national research program to advance understanding of reconciliation.
    • The collaboration will notably foster research on reconciliation and residential schools, done by and with Indigenous communities. It will leverage the skills and knowledge of both parties—the NCTR's expertise and ability to safeguard the truths of Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system; and SSHRC’s role to promote and support research and training in the humanities and social sciences.

Official Languages

11. How are the granting councils supporting Official Languages in Canadian research and post-secondary education?

    Answer:

    • Funding agencies are committed to supporting official languages within Canada’s research ecosystem. Between 2016 and 2020, SSHRC’s investments in official languages research totalled $24.1 million.
    • SSHRC also funds research and graduate studies on linguistics, education and cultural diversity. These investments promote an in-depth understanding of bilingualism and support the use of both English and French in Canadian society. They also help build stronger, thriving minority language communities across the country.
    • Humanities and social sciences is the most bilingual research area in Canada. It integrates linguistic, legal and cultural duality paradigms, enriching the diversity of Canadian society. SSHRC also supports scientific publications, which helps maintain a French-language open-access scientific publishing ecosystem.
    • SSHRC funding for small institutions often benefits post-secondary institutions in official language minority communities (OLMCs). This funding includes institutional grants and the allocation of special chairs under the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP).
    • SSHRC contributes to the pursuit of Canadian linguistic duality values by ensuring that the evaluation of funding applications is conducted in both official languages, and by promoting the spread of knowledge in both English and French through the Aid to Scholarly Journals program.
    • By supporting linguistic duality and funding the education of students working on questions related to official languages, participating institutions contribute to solidify Canada’s place in the world as a society with a fair and vibrant culture.

Tri-agency file—Laurentian University

12. How do the granting councils generally ensure that funds awarded to researchers are used for their intended purposes and why did the granting councils not intervene sooner in this case?

    Answer:

    • To be eligible to receive agency funds, researchers and institutions must agree to several obligations to ensure that the funds are properly administered and used for their intended purpose. This includes the Terms and Conditions of the individual awards and the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions. When institutions or recipients breach these agreements, the agencies can seek recourse. To ensure compliance, the granting agencies conduct financial monitoring activities with institutions.
    • The most recent financial monitoring review of Laurentian did not reveal any concerns in the administration of grant funds. However, the methodology in place for financial monitoring at that time did not test the overall financial viability of the institutions. As a result of the lessons learned from this situation, an annual review of institutions’ financial viability is being introduced in the draft tri-agency monitoring framework that will be piloted in 2022-23 by SSHRC and NSERC (more information on this below). Having more effective monitoring and communication tools in place will help the granting agencies anticipate problems before they arise and ensure that we have mitigation strategies to respond with.
13. What are the granting councils doing to ensure that previously awarded funds at Laurentian University are used for research and readily accessible to researchers?

    Answer:

    • All grant funds transferred to Laurentian University since Feb 1, 2021 are readily accessible to researchers.
    • Funds that were transferred to Laurentian University before this are not available to be spent on research activities because they are subject to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) creditor protection process. Nevertheless, Laurentian University has been working to ensure that agency-funded research activities can proceed[.]
    • (Further information can be provided if requested by the committee).
14. What are the granting councils doing to prevent this situation from occurring again in the future?

    Answer:

    • The agencies are developing a number of tools as part of a revised Financial Monitoring Framework to gather information from organizations that administer grant funds. This framework was in development before the situation with Laurentian University arose but over the past year staff have been working on refinements. Agency staff are also working to strengthen the language of the Tri-agency Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions and to develop strategies to address different types of concerns that may arise with administering organizations in the future.

International / Research Security

15. What is SSHRC / the granting councils doing to promote international research collaborations?

    Answer:

    • International research collaboration is a shared priority for the CRCC and SSHRC. The CRCC has an International Framework which supports international collaboration in research.
    • SSHRC also understands the importance of Canada being globally competitive, and that it needs to collaborate with funders abroad to support international and interdisciplinary research. SSHRC’s international activities fall under three main mechanisms:
      • Lowering barriers to international collaboration: in all SSHRC’s regular funding opportunities, with the notable exception of Insight Grants, foreign-based researchers at postsecondary institutions are eligible to be named as co-applicants or collaborators. In 2020-2021, the proportion of SSHRC-funded researchers involved in international collaborations was 64%. SSHRC also encourages international collaboration by allowing transfer of funds to international co-investigators in certain programs such as in the Partnership program and the tri-agency New Frontiers in Research Fund.
      • Opening doors through international joint initiatives: SSHRC is engaged in several bilateral and multilateral joint initiatives at the international level, such as the Trans-Atlantic Platform or the Open Research Area initiative.
      • Positioning Canadian SSH research on the world stage: namely by participating in international networks, joint science and technology coordination meetings and ensuring Canadian SSH research is meeting emerging international standards of excellence.
16. There are frequent reports of political interference, cyberattacks and theft of data and intellectual property, namely by actors within or backed by foreign governments. What are the granting councils doing to ensure that Canada’s research ecosystem is protected from these security risks?

    Answer:

    • The granting councils recognize that open, collaborative and international research are indispensable to pushing the boundaries of science and addressing complex economic and societal challenges in Canada and abroad. However, research may be vulnerable to abuse including theft, interference, or unwanted transfer of knowledge and results in ways that individuals and teams do not intend.
    • To address these research security risks, the granting agencies and the Canada Foundation for Innovation have worked with federal government partners and university organizations to provide resources for the academic community, such as the Safeguarding Your Research portal.
    • In consultation with granting councils, the Government of Canada also developed and released the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships on the portal, which are currently being piloted in the NSERC Alliance program for applications that include a private sector partner.
    • The granting agencies and the government of Canada are also completing outreach activities, including workshops and information sessions, to inform the academic communities and support institutions and researchers as they take steps to ensure their research is as open as possible and as safeguarded as necessary.

Annex A – Committee Member Information

Chair

Vice-Chairs

Members

Annex E – Sample of SSHRC-funded researchers of potential interest to the SRSR

The SSHRC Impact Awards celebrate the achievements of Canada's top leaders, thinkers and researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Finalists embody the very best ideas and research about people, human thought and behaviour, and culture—helping us understand and improve the world around us, today and into the future. The 2021, SSHRC impact winners include:

André Blais, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université de Montréal:

Rashid Sumaila, Professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, The University of British Columbia

Annex F – Sample of projects from the NFRF Transformation 2020 competition

Applicant	Tompa, Emile	McMaster University
Collaborator (among others)	Saouab, Abdou	Employment and Social Development Canada
Title	Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA)
Funding	$9,038,723.00
Description	To build demand-side capacity, we propose a transdisciplinary, multi-sectoral social innovation laboratory named IDEA (Inclusive Design for Employment Access). The laboratory will design, pilot, evaluate and disseminate solutions for enhancing demand-side capacity to recruit, hire, onboard, retain and promote persons with disabilities (PWDs) in a range of employment opportunities. We will also develop and maintain an accessible online platform to facilitate access to existing evidence-informed tools, resources, employment supports, programs and services. We plan to respond to this urgent need via a transdisciplinary, multi-sectoral social innovation laboratory. The potential gains are substantial: $62.2B (3.2% GDP) in direct output and productivity effects, $47.3B (2.5% GDP) in market multiplier effects, and $76.7 B (4.0% GDP) in spillover effects for 2017, based on an ESDC funded study.

Applicant	Parlee, Brenda	University of Alberta
Collaborator (among others)	Richea, Nathen	Environment and Climate Change Canada
Title	Ărramăt: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Indigenous-Led Conservation and Sustainable Relationships with Biodiversity
Funding	$24,000,000
Description	Indigenous Peoples comprise less than 5% of the world’s population, yet 80% of Earth’s biodiversity is located in Indigenous territories. Threats such as climate change, habitat destruction and resource extraction are impacting biodiversity now more than ever. These losses are having significant impacts on human health. This novel research project involves more than 100 Indigenous leaders, governments, organizations and university researchers. Working in more than 24 countries, the team will produce evidence and propose solutions for stewarding biodiversity in ways that can contribute to health and well-being. It will address issues including food security, human-wildlife management and decolonization of science, and will support Indigenous leaders seeking to drive transformative change on local to global scales.