OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Nov 05 (MARKET WIRE) --
Canada's top social sciences and humanities researchers were recognized
at Sagacitas - the seventh annual awards ceremony of the Social Sciences
and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The prizes, which
include the Gold Medal for Achievement in Research, along with the SSHRC
Aurora Prize, the SSHRC Postdoctoral Prize and the William E. Taylor
Fellowship, are among the Canadian research community's highest honours.
"Investing in the development of research and talent in the social
sciences and humanities helps build a strong foundation for innovation in
the economy," said Mike Lake, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Industry and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, on
behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and
Technology). "As reflected in the Government of Canada's Science and
Technology Strategy, we are committed to fostering world-class Canadian
research and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of Canada's economy."
"This evening we honour outstanding researchers and students for their
contributions to research and for building the knowledge that is
essential to the new innovation economy of the 21st century," said Chad
Gaffield, President of SSHRC. "SSHRC invests in world-class scholarship
and the development of talent that is making a difference nationally and
internationally. Tonight's winners are superb examples of the impact that
research in the social sciences and humanities has on society and its
importance to Canada's future success."
The 2009 SSHRC Gold Medal for Achievement in Research, which awards
$100,000 to an individual whose leadership, dedication and originality of
thought have significantly advanced understanding in his or her field of
research, was given to Jean-Jacques Nattiez of the Faculty of Music at
the Universite de Montreal.
Jean-Jacques Nattiez is a world authority on musicology who is
internationally renowned for his innovative and multidisciplinary
approach. Very few musicologists combine a knowledge of the history of
music with musical analysis and ethnomusicology in their research.
A pioneer in this innovative approach to the study of music, Nattiez
believes it is necessary to investigate many routes in order to properly
understand a particular type of music. "Musical structures and the
historical context remain important, but you also have to consider the
cultural aspect that is revealed by anthropology as well as the cognitive
aspect that psychology seeks to explore. My goal is, and has always been,
to construct a general musicology - that is, a set of methods making it
possible to analyze and interpret all types of musical works and
productions," he explained.
Sylvia Fuller won the SSHRC Aurora Prize, which awards $25,000 to an
outstanding new researcher. A professor of sociology at the University of
British Columbia and a well-known expert on workplace issues, Fuller is
researching how labour market trends and institutions shape the
longer-term employment possibilities of workers in non-standard
employment, such as temporary and part-time work, and how this is
affected by gender, citizenship and immigrant status.
Bruce Maxwell received the $10,000 SSHRC Postdoctoral Prize for his
research on the psychology behind ethical judgement and moral choices.
With ethics training having become mandatory in research disciplines from
medicine to business and law, Maxwell, a philosopher of science, is
collaborating with colleagues in psychology to take a closer look at the
moral psychology and ethical education of children and how these relate
to parenting and family policy. He is part of a group of researchers
linked to the Centre de recherche en ethique de l'Universite de Montreal
and the neuroethics unit of the Institut de recherches cliniques de
Montreal.
Erin Soros received the William E. Taylor Fellowship, a $5,000 prize
given each year to the student with the most highly rated SSHRC PhD
proposal. A former Fulbright scholar at Columbia University, she received
her Master's degree from the University of British Columbia. Blending
research and narrative elements, and using a framework drawn from human
rights law, philosophy and autobiography, Soros' doctoral work in
creative and critical writing is a compelling culmination of her diverse
experiences working with marginalized communities. Through her work with
victims of violence, immigrants, refugees and Aboriginal communities,
Soros became interested in how individuals experience and respond to
trauma.
All the winners were selected by a rigorous peer-review process, and
prize funds will be directed to research activities.
In 2008-09, SSHRC funded research by more than 6,000 faculty members and
directly supported nearly 4,000 full-time graduate students.
For a complete list of award recipients and more information on this
year's winners, please visit the SSHRC website
(http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/site/winning-recherche_subventionnee/prize-prix-eng
aspx).
SSHRC is the federal agency that promotes and supports university-based
research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its
programs and policies, the Council enables the highest levels of research
excellence in Canada and facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration
across research disciplines, universities and all sectors of society.
Ce document est egalement disponible en francais.
Contacts:
SSHRC
Trevor Lynn
Communications Manager
613-992-7302
Cell: 613-302-9879
Trevor.Lynn@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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