Colin Coates, a professor at York University’s Glendon College, will serve the Canadian Historical Association (CHA) as its next president, officially stepping into the role in June.
Founded in 1922, the CHA is one of Canada’s oldest learned societies, dedicated to advancing the study of history in the country.
Coates becomes the fifth faculty member from York University to lead the association, joining the ranks of notable academic figures such as Craig Heron, Irving Abella, Gail Cuthbert Brandt and Ramsay Cook – two of whom were, like Coates, affiliated with Glendon College, highlighting the institution's strong presence in the field.
An expert in Canadian history, with a focus on early French Canada, Coates studies environmental and cultural history and the history of Canadian utopian settlements.
"I am honoured to be elected as president of the Canadian Historical Association," says Coates. "Historical knowledge is more important than ever in our current climate, and I look forward to working with our members to promote discussions that connect scholarly research with public interest."
The CHA plays a crucial role in supporting and publicizing scholarly research and making historical resources accessible to the public. It serves a diverse membership that includes professional historians, and those with an interest in understanding Canada’s past within international frameworks. Coates plans to continue the work of engaging with professional historians working in Canada regardless of their area of expertise, enhancing links to Francophone scholars and building ties with local historical societies across the country.
"My election as CHA president represents an opportunity to further my commitment to the field of history," Coates says. "I aim to encourage collaboration among historians across Canada, and in particular to support graduate student involvement in the association."
This prestigious appointment follows a 2024 Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies from the International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS), recognizing his significant contributions to the field both domestically and internationally.
Recognized for his teaching excellence and research contributions, Coates is the recipient of multiple awards, including Glendon’s Principal’s Teaching and Research Excellence Awards and various grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He has also previously served York University as Glendon's associate principal for research and graduate studies, as well as the director of the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies from 2011 to 2015.
His term as CHA president will begin at the association's annual meeting during the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in early June 2025.