Government of Canada honours Canada’s top social sciences and humanities researchers
Each year, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) honours Canada’s top leaders, thinkers and researchers in the social sciences and humanities through its Impact Awards. The winners and finalists embody the very best ideas and research about people, human thought and behaviour—helping us understand and improve the world around us, today and into the future.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the Impact Award winners for 2020.
The Gold Medal is SSHRC’s highest research honour and is awarded to an individual whose sustained leadership, dedication and originality of thought have inspired students and colleagues alike. Francine Saillant, of the Université Laval, is honoured with this award for her outstanding work in medical anthropology, human rights, and her commitment to social justice.
The Talent Award recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of a current SSHRC doctoral or postdoctoral scholarship or fellowship holder. Robyn Maynard, of the University of Toronto, wins this award for her ground-breaking research on the systemic social, political, gendered and economic marginalization faced by Black migrants, and how they are disproportionately affected by global displacement.
The Insight Award is given to an individual or team whose project has made significant contributions to the knowledge and understanding of people, societies and the world. Myriam Denov, of McGill University, receives this award for her research on children and families affected by war.
The Connection Award recognizes an outstanding initiative facilitating the exchange of research knowledge within or beyond the social sciences and humanities community to generate intellectual, cultural, social or economic impacts. Jackie Dawson, of the University of Ottawa, wins this award for her phenomenal contributions in exploring the human dimensions of environmental change.
The Partnership Award recognizes a formal partnership, through mutual co-operation, shared intellectual leadership and resources, which has demonstrated impacts and influences within or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community. The late John Loxley, of the University of Manitoba, receives this award posthumously for his collaborative work advancing community-based solutions to poverty in Indigenous and inner-city communities.