Understanding Canadians through Interdisciplinary Collaborations

 

Chad Gaffield -   Renaissance man   for the new millennium   (Reprinted with the   permission from the   Ottawa Citizen.   Photographer Pat McGrath)

On March 16th 1998, the University of Ottawa will launch its new Institute of Canadian Studies. The new Institute will strongly benefit from the University's linguistic and intellectual traditions, and its strategic location - accessibility to the National Library, National Archives, museums, and other cultural and intellectual institutions. The Institute of Canadian Studies is bound to become the leader in the study of Canada both nationally and internationally.

A primary goal of the Institute is to create the Data Analysis Centre, which will be Canada's major research facility for the analysis of computerized data relevant to Canadian studies. The Data Analysis Centre will foster partnerships, promote the exchange of data and analyses, and facilitate collaborative research throughout research centres in Canada. The information will also be made available to numerous Canadian Studies programs around the world.

The Institute will be an active body within the regional, national and international community. Activities such as conferences, workshops, colloquia, student exchanges will provide the medium for interdisciplinary research collaborations. Chad Gaffield, Director of the Institute and Professor of History, hopes to place the Institute of Canadian Studies at the centre of all networks, where the pool of information is to be gathered and shared. Setting up the Institute with the latest information technology as well as supporting various teaching and research activities will require financial support. In addition to the University's contribution, Gaffield expects significant support from the private sector. Two companies have already demonstrated interest in becoming partners, one of which is currently negotiating its involvement. According to Gaffield "the corporate sector has a better understanding of the importance of social-cultural knowledge. Many business people that I have talked to really understand that in order to introduce new products and new technologies, an appreciation for the social-cultural setting is absolutely essential".

The expertise of academics combined with an external advisory board composed of top leaders from the community will establish the Institute of Canadian Studies as an important and influential resource for policymakers in government and in industry.