The realization that technology is not going to solve all of society's ills and an increased awareness of the need to better communicate the impact of their research is good news for social scientists, says Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation of Canada.
Gaffield made his remarks on Sept. 18 at the opening session of UVic's social sciences colloquium series. In his presentation "The Case for the Social Sciences," Gaffield recalled the ongoing struggle by social scientists to win their share of research funding and convince granting agencies their work is as valuable as that in the so-called "hard" sciences.
"The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), charged with distributing $2 billion for research infrastructure, was set up on the assumption that research infrastructure was limited to the biomedical fields, the natural sciences and engineering," he said. "The original conception includes science, engineering, health and environment. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) representatives were unsuccessful in arguing that social sciences fit under the CFI program."
He cited a similar struggle with the proposed National Institute for Health. While an initial approach by SSHRC was "not entirely welcome . . . discussion is ongoing." But he stressed that there was reason for optimism. "The SSHRC budget was increased by $13 million last spring, the success rate for a research grant is up to 42 per cent, and enrolment in the social sciences is quite healthy across the country."
Gaffield placed some of the blame for social sciences' underdog position on the researchers themselves, commenting on how social scientists have been reluctant to explain their research to government and agency representatives and the general public. Here, too, there is reason for optimism. A regular program called "Breakfast on the Hill" brings researchers together in Ottawa with politicians, public servants, caucus researchers and others.
Another program, "Career Vision," identified 60 positions for social science graduates in health and environmental sectors. An employment subsidy was paid to the employer over the term of the program. At the conclusion, the employers were uniformly enthusiastic about the skills and flexibility of the graduates and 70 per cent continued to be employed after the subsidy ended.
"Many of the key issues of the day, such as feminism, computerization, internationalization, are horizontal issues that work across the campus and larger society," said Gaffield. "The question of social sciences and their future is inextricably linked to the question of our society and its future."
The next presentation in the colloquium series is a debate "Be
it resolved that social science can be objective." It will be held
on Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m. in the senate chambers (University Centre A180).
Sociologist Dr. William Carroll will chair the debate. Speaking in favour
will be Dr. Charles Tolman (psychology) and Dr. Ellen Gee (sociology and
anthropology, Simon Fraser University). Speaking against will be Dr. Derek
Sayer (sociology, University of Alberta) and Dr. Robert Walker (political
science).