The announcement of the recipients of more than 760 grants to power new research initiatives was delivered Monday by Greg Rickford, federal minister of state (science and technology).

鈥淪SHRC鈥檚 investment provides a foundation for our researchers in the social sciences and humanities to conduct cutting-edge fundamental research that identifies and applies solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing society today,鈥� said Robert Hach茅 (left), 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president research & innovation. 鈥淩esearch at 91亚色 is research with an impact and research that makes a difference.鈥�

Thirty-seven 91亚色 researchers received more than $5.5 million to fund their research projects through SSHRC鈥檚 Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants programs.

The funding was granted for research covering a wide range of topics, including:

• Schools, safety and the urban neighborhood;
• Riots in the Maghreb: A socio-anthropological contribution of dissenting voices;
• From norm takers to norm shakers and makers? A comparative study of tax transplants in China and India;
• Wrestling with tradition: community, authority and change in law and religion;
• Multimedia and transmedia texts, cultural change and youth readers; and
• Transitioning from a fossil(ized) to a bio-based economy: A case study of biofuels in the Canadian Context.

鈥淭his investment in social sciences and humanities research is a cornerstone to building Canada鈥檚 capacity for innovation,鈥� said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. 鈥淭hrough the Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants, we are supporting the highest levels of research excellence. This research will generate knowledge about the past and present that will lead to innovative solutions for today鈥檚 most pressing social, cultural, technological, environmental and economic issues, and improve the lives of Canadians.鈥�

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The competition聽is an initiative organized聽by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), in partnership with the Government of Ontario. The province-wide competition聽is being overseen by the IDeA Working Group, comprised of representatives from engineering and design Faculties at several Ontario universities.

Students will vie for $3,000 in prizes, with entries that must address barriers to accessibility in five categories: attitudinal, physical/structural, information and communications, technological, and systemic.

鈥淥ntario universities are strongly committed to the important goal of leading the country towards greater accessibility,鈥� says Alastair Summerlee, chair of COU and聽president of the University of Guelph. 鈥淭apping into the innovative capabilities of our students is an excellent way to build awareness and to advance ideas that lead to a more accessible world.鈥�

91亚色 students can聽find rules and registration information .聽The deadline for contest submissions is March 31. Students interested in submitting their idea or concept should review the rules and criteria, register and then submit the concept by e-mail to ideas@yorku.ca聽by the end of the business on March 31.

Submissions will first be evaluated by 91亚色 and then successful candidates will move on to a second round of judging conducted by a panel of experts in the five categories. Evaluations will be based on innovation, cost-effectiveness and practicality. Judges will also place a premium on entries whose format itself demonstrates consideration to accessibility issues.

The winner will be announced at an event at the Ontario Centres of Excellence Discovery Conference in May 2012.

Republished courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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