SSHRC has launched a Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity to assess the state of research knowledge on the topic of “Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories” under SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative.

Amount: $30,000 (over one year)

Deadlines:
Faculty Research Office: 1 week prior to SSHRC deadline. (If you wish to have feedback on your application allow at least two-three weeks – contact Karen Kueneman)
Western Research: 1 week prior to SSHRC deadline
SSHRC: December 14, 2023

Description: In an increasingly connected world, globalization can drive homogenized societal practices and dominating cultural perspectives. The syntheses developed from this funding will identify roles that the academic, public, private, and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive and equitable societies and can inform the development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies and sustainable practices required to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.
Themes: The questions below illustrate some of the many interconnected issues that encompass the global challenge of Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories. The questions are intended to provide guidance to applicants; proposals on other issues relevant to this future challenge are welcome.

• How can cultural heritage assets be protected from current and future threats?
• What roles do material culture, literature and the arts play in evolving narratives of culture and history?
• How do new technologies, including genomics and advanced digital media, impact the preservation and (re)making of (re)emerging cultures and historical narratives, particularly among marginalized groups and communities? What opportunities and risks do these same technologies pose for communities? How can these communities engage with technologies on their own terms to define and derive benefits?
• How can educational and cultural institutions, including galleries, libraries, archives and museums, support the flourishing of diverse cultural perspectives and practices?
• How is the value for societal wellbeing and prosperity of the broad spectrum of cultural assets, production and consumption being captured and assessed?
• How can the legal system and political, economic and social policies foster and support cultural diversity? Alternatively, how are laws and policies being used to suppress diversity and protect dominant cultures and historical narratives?
• How are underrepresented communities creating space for the expression and evolution of their cultures and traditions? Why and how have they been marginalized by dominating cultures? What are the barriers that prevent their voices from being heard and accepted?
• As Canada and other Western nations increasingly rely on immigration to bolster population growth, how are multiracial, multicultural and multilingual dimensions of society acknowledged in personal, communal and national narratives of belonging and identity?
• Who determines ownership over ideas, traditions, cultures and histories? How are Indigenous perspectives on stewardship of languages, arts, culture and science intersecting with Western understandings of ownership? How will concepts of ownership and stewardship play out in a world of new technologies like genomics and AI?
• How might genomic tools and technologies contribute, challenge or change the narratives that individuals shared about themselves, their families and their communities?
• How can diverse cultural perspectives help solve  global challenges and contribute to innovation in political, economic, technological and social spheres?

Two streams of funding are available (more details on the SSHRC website – SSHRC has partnered with Canadian Heritage, Genome Canada, and UK Research and Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council to fund projects that synthesize knowledge on this theme.):

• Stream 1 will be reserved for applications submitted by an applicant or project director affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution.
• Stream 2 will be reserved for applications jointly submitted by two applicants or project directors, one based in Canada and the other in the UK, who are affiliated with eligible institutions in their respective countries.

Eligibility: Western University applicants must hold an eligible academic research appointment at Western. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that feature multidisciplinary research teams.

More information and link to applications…   Full Applications are to be processed through Western Research and are to be accompanied by a completed ROLA.

NOTE: Knowledge Synthesis Grants are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and the identification of knowledge gaps.

Please contact Karen Kueneman if you plan to apply.