What does it take to confront today’s most pressing social questions? At York University, the answer lies in collaboration – with artists, educators, technologists and communities across the globe.
Six research initiatives led or co-led by York faculty members have received funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), supporting projects that mobilize knowledge and spark change.
Four projects were awarded Connection Grants, which fund short-term events and outreach activities that connect researchers with communities to share knowledge and foster collaboration. Another two projects were awarded Partnership Engage Grants, which support research undertaken in partnership with a single organization from the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.
“These SSHRC-funded initiatives exemplify how York researchers are working in partnership with communities to address complex societal challenges,” says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. “From exploring how cycling can advance gender equity, to examining artists’ responses to political backlash, to supporting inclusive education, digital storytelling, gender inclusion in STEM, and educators’ digital rights, these projects demonstrate how mobilizing knowledge through inclusive and collaborative approaches can create meaningful change at local, national and global levels.”
The Connection Grant projects are part of the February 2025 competition and are valued between $7,000 and $50,000, provided over one year.
Cycling Towards Change: Advancing Mobility Justice, Gender Equity, and Sustainable Development through Bicycles is led by Lyndsay Hayhurst, professor in the Faculty of Health. The initiative received $24,596 to bring together researchers and community partners from Canada, Uganda and beyond to explore how cycling can promote gender equity and sustainable development. York researcher Jessica Nachman is also a collaborator.
Facing Backlash: Performance in the Age of Reactionary Politics is led by faculty members in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design: Marlis Schweitzer, Courtney Lancaster, Jamie Robinson, Keira Loughran and Laura Levin. The project received $19,692 to examine how artists and performers respond to rising reactionary political movements through creative expression.
No for now: Building educator capacity to simultaneously support transgender students and parent-child relationships is led by Jake Pyne in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. The project received $23,498 and aims to equip educators with tools to support both transgender students and their families, addressing a critical gap in inclusive education. The project is a collaboration with Lee Airton of Queen's University.
The Electronic Literature Organization @25 International Conference is co-led by Caitlin Fisher, director of York’s Augmented Reality Lab and professor in AMPD. The project, led by Lai-Tze Fan from the University of Waterloo, received $25,000. The event will mark the 25th anniversary of the Electronic Literature Organization and explore the future of digital storytelling.
The Partnership Engage projects are part of the March 2025 competition and are valued between $7,000 and $25,000, provided over one year.
Gender and Microinclusion in STEM Workgroups is led by Kelly Thomson in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) with co-applicant Marcela Porporato,. Partnering with Santex in Argentina, the project received $24,988 to investigate gender inclusion in STEM work environments.
Strengthening Educators' Collective Capacity to Bargain for Digital Rights is co-led by Hannah Johnston (LA&PS) and sava saheli singh (Faculty of Education) from York University, with applicant Vera Khovanskaya from the University of Toronto. Partnering with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, the project received $24,750 to examine how educators can advocate for digital rights in the procurement and use of educational technologies.
To see the full list of recipients, visit SSHRC.