Western University Secures Nearly $9.8 Million in Federal Funding for Groundbreaking Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Good news has arrived at Western University, bringing a substantial boost for its vibrant research community! The institution recently announced that its scholars have collectively secured nearly $9.8 million in fresh federal funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). This isn't just about numbers; it's about igniting new discoveries and deepening our understanding of human society.

This remarkable funding, part of a broader federal initiative totaling over $289 million across Canada, was officially unveiled on July 21, 2026. For Western specifically, it translates into almost $6.5 million for SSHRC Insight Grants, which typically fuel two- to five-year projects, alongside an additional $3.3 million in Insight Development Grants designed to kickstart research in its initial, crucial stages. What's particularly exciting? The Insight Grants alone mark a significant 72 percent increase in funding to Western compared to last year. That’s a truly impressive leap!

So, what kind of fascinating questions will this funding help answer? Well, let's dive into just a few of the compelling projects set to unfold.

Take, for instance, Professor Emily Abrams Ansari from Western's music history department. She’s received over $115,000 from SSHRC Insight Grants to embark on a truly unique exploration of Toronto composer Ann Southam. Ansari’s research isn't just about musical notes; it delves into the rich tapestry of Canadian sovereignty, feminism, and how "women's work" – think crafting and domestic arts – finds expression within Southam's compositions. It’s a project that promises to shed new light on a significant, yet perhaps underappreciated, queer feminist voice from the 1960s. Ansari will even be collaborating with Tricia Johnson and Sheri Nault from Western's visual arts department for a planned festival symposium in September, creating a truly interdisciplinary dialogue. To truly immerse herself, Ansari will be sifting through Southam’s archives in Banff, Alta., and delving into queer history archives right in Toronto. Ultimately, her work will blossom into research papers, a dedicated website, and even two books—one for a wider audience, and another an edited academic volume.

Then there’s Ryan Liss, a brilliant mind in Western Law and co-director of the Public and Private International Law Research Group (PPIL). With over $100,000 in SSHRC funding, Liss is setting out to rethink our understanding of international crime, specifically focusing on what he terms "crimes against the sovereign order." He aims to unravel how the concept of sovereignty has fundamentally shaped international criminal law and, in doing so, help us envision a more robust global order that truly secures people's rights. This ambitious project will see Liss engaging in deep archival research and even taking up an Oliver Smithies Visiting Fellowship at The University of Oxford's Balliol College in the U.K. next year. Imagine the insights he'll bring back!

And speaking of timely research, Professor Laura Stephenson from political science has been awarded a substantial five-year grant exceeding $400,000 from SSHRC. Her project? To uncover "The Political Consequences of Loneliness." It's a topic that resonates deeply today, isn't it? Stephenson aims to investigate how feelings of loneliness might influence our political views, erode or build trust in government, and even shape our political preferences. This isn't just an abstract idea; governments globally are increasingly recognizing the societal impact of loneliness, with the U.K. having appointed a Minister for Loneliness in 2018 and Japan adopting a similar strategy in 2021. Her work will involve cross-national surveys, intriguing experiments, and a focused study on post-secondary students, offering invaluable insights into a pervasive modern challenge.

These projects, diverse as they are, beautifully showcase the depth and breadth of inquiry happening at Western University. The federal investment isn't just a financial boost; it's an endorsement of the critical role that the social sciences and humanities play in understanding our past, navigating our present, and shaping a more informed, just, and compassionate future. It’s an exciting time for big ideas in London, Ontario!