SSHRC - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Physician
• Director of Public Policy at the University of Calgary 's Cumming School of Medicine
• Physician ( Internal Medicine ), Associate Professor, University of Calgary

Aleem Bharwani is a physician (internal medicine) and associate professor at the University of Calgary. There, he is also the founding academic director of the UCalgary Pluralism Initiative-a transdisciplinary applied research hub that seeks to help us live well and create well together. Bharwani graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, in public policy and administration, and was a resident of the Harvard Venture Incubation Program. Bharwani is the director of Public Policy at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and is a senior research fellow at Ottawa Dialogue, where he applies Track Two Diplomacy to build shared understanding, strengthen relationships and drive innovation across differences. He is a celebrated educator, an internationally recognized leader in inclusive governance, and an active citizen who has served on a variety of community and corporate boards

Job Titles:

• Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Job Titles:

• Member of the Independent Audit Committee
• Chairman of the Independent Audit Committee

Carmen Charette has been committed to supporting a dynamic environment in postsecondary education, research and innovation for more than 35 years. As a leader and executive at SSHRC, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, she was responsible for developing and delivering strategies, policies, programs and partnerships to promote research and research infrastructure. She left SSHRC in 2012 to join the University of Victoria as vice-president, External Relations, where she contributed to building the profile and reputation of the university. Carmen holds degrees in biochemistry and business administration from the University of Ottawa. She also completed the Advanced Leadership Program for Assistant Deputy Ministers at the Canada School of Public Service in 2010.

Job Titles:

• Canada Research Chair in North American Indigenous Visual

Carmen Robertson is the Canada Research Chair in North American Indigenous Visual and Material Culture and is jointly appointed to the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies, the School for Studies in Art and Culture, and the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art, and Culture at Carleton University. A Scots-Lakota professor of art history, her research centres on contemporary Indigenous arts and constructions of Indigeneity in popular culture. In 2016, Robertson published both Norval Morrisseau: Life and Work (Art Canada Institute) and Mythologizing Norval Morrisseau: Art and the Colonial Narrative in the Canadian Media (University of Manitoba Press). Her essays have been published in scholarly journals such as American Indian Quarterly, the Journal of Canadian Art History, Media History, and RACAR: Canadian Art Review. Robertson co-authored with Mark Cronlund Anderson the groundbreaking Seeing Red: A History of Natives in Canadian Newspapers (University of Manitoba Press, 2011). Robertson sits on the editorial board of the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education and holds memberships in a number of scholarly associations. She is a board member of the Norval Morrisseau Heritage Society, and also maintains an independent curatorial practice. In 2017, she guest curated the Dana Claxton: The Sioux Project-Tatanka Oyate exhibition and symposium at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Job Titles:

• Associate Vice - President Research ( Engagement ), Professor, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan

Job Titles:

• University of Saskatchewan Associate Vice - President Research

Dawn Wallin serves as the University of Saskatchewan associate vice-president Research (Engagement), SSHRC Leader, and professor in the College of Education. As an alumna of our institution, Wallin completed her Bachelor of Education (English and Mathematics), Bachelor of Arts (English), Master of Education (Educational Administration), and Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Administration) degrees at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research background focuses on educational administration and leadership; rural, remote and northern education and governance; equity issues in education; and Indigenous teacher education. As associate vice-president Research (Engagement), Wallin works closely with community partners as the academic lead on research initiatives such as the Wanuskewin institute, Station 20 West and a developing partnership with Métis Nation Saskatchewan. She also been working with the federal and Saskatchewan chapters of Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) to find ways to support French language researchers. Wallin is currently in discussions with partners at Wanuskewin Heritage Park and the Meewasin Valley Authority regarding the possibility of designing microcredentials for interpretor training. Additional opportunities are developing with partners from the Redberry Lake Biosphere Region who are interested in ecosystem research engagement with the university. Prior to her current role, Wallin engaged in an exciting career in the public and postsecondary education sectors. During her time as a faculty member at the University of Texas-Pan American, University of Manitoba and University of Saskatchewan, she served in a variety of leadership roles: associate dean Research and Graduate Studies; associate dean Undergraduate Programs, Partnerships, and Research; assistant dean, Postbaccalaureate Programs; acting dean; acting department head; and program coordinator. Wallin has consulted, partnered with or facilitated events for organizations that represent a variety of interests, including ministries of education, educational organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, regional colleges, and university faculties. She has held executive positions with the Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration, Canadian Association for the Study of Women in Education, and National Congress on Rural Education in Canada. She has served on a number of boards and/or committees, including the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board, the Saskatchewan class size and composition committee, the Follow Their Voices program committee and Manitoba Council for Leadership in Education. Her teaching, research, leadership and engagement activities have positioned her well as a community-engaged scholar who privileges relationship building, authentic partnerships and socially impactful outcomes in research and programming.

Job Titles:

• Chartered Professional Accountant
• Chief Financial Officer and Vice - President, Common Administrative Services Directorate

Dominique Osterrath joined SSHRC's Common Administrative Services Directorate (CASD) in July 2021, where she leads a team of professionals who work to support both SSHRC and NSERC in delivering human resources, finance and awards administration, security, and information and innovation solutions. As the lead CASD executive, Dominique supports the accountability of the agency presidents by ensuring CASD's effectiveness as a strategic partner, business enabler, steward and service provider. Prior to her appointment, Dominique was chief financial officer, chief security officer, and vice-president, Corporate Management Branch, at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In previous appointments, she was deputy chief financial officer and executive director, Financial Services, at CFIA; deputy chief financial officer and director general, Finance and Awards Administration, for SSHRC and NSERC; and director, Financial Planning, Budgeting and Advisory Services, at the National Research Council Canada. Dominique is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Université du Québec en Outaouais, and is a graduate of the Public Sector Leadership and Governance executive program at the University of Ottawa.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Malinda S. Smith, PhD, is the inaugural vice-provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), a professor of political science and a 2018 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation fellow at the University of Calgary. Smith has published widely in areas of international and comparative politics, as well as equity, diversity, human rights and decolonization. She is a co-author of The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities (UBC Press, 2017), and a co-editor of Nuances of Blackness in the Canadian Academy (University of Toronto Press, 2022). She is editor of three books on Africa, including Securing Africa: Post-9/11 Discourses on Terrorism (2010); and co-editor of Critical Concepts: An Introduction to Politics (6/E currently under revision with OUP) and States of Race: Critical Race Feminism for the 21st Century (2010). She serves on the Statistics Canada Advisory Committee on Ethnocultural and Immigration Statistics, and its working group on Black communities in Canada, and the Inter-Institutional Advisory Committee for the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. Smith is a former vice-president, Equity Issues, for the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and currently serves as chair of its Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization. Smith has won numerous awards and honours, including the 2021 Compelling Calgarians, the 2020 Susan S. Northcutt Award from the International Studies Association, and the 2018-19 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Studies Association-Canada. Smith was named to the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women list for 2020.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Independent Audit Committee

Marc was the president and CEO of Genome Canada from 2016 to 2021. He led an ambitious national research program to develop applications in human health, agriculture/food, forestry, environment/climate change, natural resources, and fisheries. He developed several important partnerships including a national effort to implement a country-wide clinical genomics for rare disease patients. He was president and CEO of Genome Quebec from 2012 to 2016 where he worked closely with the provincial government to align research with public policy priorities. He spent many years abroad as a member of Canada's foreign service. From 2005 to 2012, he served as special advisor for climate change and energy at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC and as consul general at the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. Earlier in his career, he carried out various trade promotion assignments in Cuba, Sweden, France, and California (San Diego). He worked as director of business development for the Medical Research Council (MRC), where he was responsible for developing partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry, venture capital and foundations. He was a member of the MRC leadership team that led to the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Over the years, Marc has served on a number of other boards including Oxfam Canada, the MRC/PMAC Health Program and the Ottawa Hospital Foundation board committees on risk and on commercialization. He is also a senior advisor to Global Advantage, an Ottawa-based firm specializing in innovation and research policy.

Job Titles:

• Dean
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Dean and Full Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa

Marie-Eve Sylvestre is dean and full professor at the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, at the University of Ottawa. She holds a Doctor of Juridical Science from Harvard Law School. Sylvestre's research focuses on the punitive regulation of poverty and social conflicts related to the occupation of public spaces, including conflicts related to homelessness, street-level sex work and drug use, and political dissent. She is also interested in alternative responses to criminalization, in particular in the Indigenous context. She has published extensively in law, criminology and geography. Her most recent book, Red Zones: Criminal Law and the Territorial Governance of Marginalized People, co-authored with Nicholas Blomley and Céline Bellot, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2020 and awarded the 2021 W. Wesley Pue Book Prize from the Canadian Law and Society Association. From 2016 to 2019, Sylvestre acted as the justice expert for the Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Quebec: listening, reconciliation and progress. She is a member of the Quebec Bar, the Global Young Academy, and the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Founder and Principal Consultant at Strategic Measures

Meg (Margaret) Gassanov is the founder and principal consultant at Strategic Measures, a boutique consultancy specializing in strategy, performance measurement, evaluation and research. She is a transformative leader dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness in both the public and private sectors. She holds a PhD in sociology, a graduate certificate in Survey Research, certification as a strategy planning professional, and designation as a credentialed evaluator. Gassanov's strong theoretical foundation complements her extensive experience, making her a recognized expert in her field. Throughout her career, Gassanov has managed teams within high-stakes environments at the City of Toronto, McMaster University and the University of Toronto. Her roles have required exceptional planning, analysis and collaboration skills to navigate complex challenges and drive organizational success. At the City of Toronto, she significantly enhanced the municipal government's capabilities in managing social assistance, addressing homelessness and improving public health services. Her work primarily focused on supporting organizational performance, including defining strategic foundations, organizational planning, performance monitoring, evaluations and research. In academic settings, Gassanov has taught courses in research methods, managed the operations of research centres and teams, and led projects focused on evaluation, knowledge mobilization and collaborative design. Gassanov's dedication to public service is reflected in her volunteer roles, including as an evaluator with the Canadian Red Cross and serving on a university senate. She has contributed to numerous scholarly articles and conferences and has launched communities of practice, continually seeking to share knowledge and inspire innovation with her peers. Gassanov's professional journey is marked by continuous learning, evidenced by her training in human-centred design, change management, organizational development and Lean Six Sigma. She continuously searches for innovative methods and new technologies to stay ahead in her field, ensuring the solutions she provides address immediate needs and contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of her clients' organizations.

Job Titles:

• President and CEO at the Manitoba Institute of Trades
• Vice - President Academic, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology

Neil Cooke is the president and CEO at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In this role, Cooke acts as the academic lead for over 40 programs in five areas of study within secondary and postsecondary programming. Cooke also has oversight of the institution's Adult Learning Centre network in the province and the student support services of the institution. Prior to joining the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, Cooke held the position of vice-president academic at Confederation College in Thunder Bay Ontario. While at Confederation, he was the academic lead responsible for 58 programs in 11 areas of study across eight regional campuses. Cooke has also served as the manager of the Strategic Educational Initiative for the Manitoba Trucking Association in Winnipeg. Cooke was responsible for the design, development and administration of programming to support the professional development needs of the transportation sector of Manitoba. His research involves carbon reduction strategies for the transportation industry. Cooke holds a master's degree in education (postsecondary administration) as well as an undergraduate degree in technical education, a diploma in vocational education and a certificate in adult education. He is also an interprovincial certified heavy-duty technician. In addition to his experience in postsecondary education, Cooke has been an active volunteer within his community, contributing his time to youth sport programs and as a Habitat for Humanity board member. He is also an advocate for the off-reserve members of the Peguis First Nation.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Executive Committee
• President and Vice Chancellor of the Université De L'Ontario
• President and Vice Chancellor, Université De L'Ontario Français

Carmen Robertson Canada Research Chair in North American Indigenous Visual and Material Culture, Joint-appointed to the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies, the School for Studies in Art and Culture, and the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art, and Culture, Carleton University Normand Labrie is president and vice chancellor of the Université de l'Ontario français. Previously, as a professor at the University of Toronto, he served as interim dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education; associate dean, Programs; associate dean, Research and Graduate Studies; and head of the Centre de recherches en éducation franco-ontarienne. He was also scientific director, from 2012 to 2015, of the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Société et culture. A professor of sociolinguistics, Labrie has distinguished himself with his work on linguistic pluralism, a field he has studied from several angles, ranging from language practices and linguistic policies to identity building and access to education for francophones living in French-language minority communities. As an invited professor, he has taught sociolinguistics and Canadian studies at the Freie Universität Berlin, the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3) and the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel. For several years, Labrie acted as an international expert on linguistic minorities for the European Commission. He also chaired the Réseau international des observatoires du français et des langues nationales at the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie. From 2013 to 2017, he represented Canada on the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO's Management of Social Transformations program, where he was elected rapporteur. Labrie was named a chevalier of the Order of La Pléiade in 2007, in recognition of his contributions to the Francophonie in Ontario. He was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2016.

Job Titles:

• Fellow at the Ontario Institute for Studies

Job Titles:

• Vice - President, Research

Sylvie A. Lamoureux (Order of Ontario), joined SSHRC as vice-president, Research, in January 2023. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation and promotion of the vision and direction of social sciences and humanities and tri-agency federal research funding programming. Sylvie served as associate vice-provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, at the University of Ottawa, and held various vice-dean portfolios in the Faculty of Arts there. She also served on the university's senate and board of governors. An accomplished scholar and educator, she was named to the second cohort of the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists in 2015, the same year she was elected to the Order of Ontario. Her consulting work with governments, commissions and school boards has also informed language policy and planning throughout Canada. Her current research focuses on students' transition to and through university, at all levels, and on academic literacy and student experience. A SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (2008), she holds a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, and a master of education from the same institution. She holds a bachelor of education (intermediate/senior, history and chemistry) from the University of Ottawa, as well as an honours BA and a BSc (lib) from Laurentian University.

Job Titles:

• Vice - President
• Vice - President, Stakeholder Engagement and Advancement of Society

Tara Lapointe joined SSHRC as vice-president, Stakeholder Engagement and Advancement of Society, in March 2024. She provides strategic leadership to advance and mobilize social sciences and humanities research, and guides a dynamic team responsible for communications, strategic foresight, partnership development, and engagement with stakeholders. Tara was previously executive director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. She has held senior roles at the Canada Council for the Arts and the National Arts Centre, among other organizations, and taught in Algonquin College's Museum Studies program. She was recognized for her leadership with Ottawa's 40 Under 40 Award and the International Association of Business Communicators Distinguished Service Award. Tara is a strong advocate for social issues, including those related to identity, community and social justice, and for using community-engaged and data and research-based approaches to address complex issues. She has extensive experience in strategic communications and in fostering innovation and building partnerships. Tara holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Ottawa.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• President

Ted Hewitt was appointed president of SSHRC in March 2015. He served as the inaugural chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee from 2017 to 2019 and was the first to serve a second term as chair in 2023. Ted was vice-president, research and international relations, at Western University in London, Ontario, from 2004 to 2011, where he had been a professor of sociology since 1989. He was also a public policy scholar at the Brazil Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. A leading authority on Brazil, Ted has published in monographs, edited works and a range of academic journals. In 2018, Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations named him Grand Officer of the Order of Rio Branco-one of the highest levels of merit-for the many years he has fostered bilateral business and research partnerships between Brazil and Canada. Ted's current research focuses on national and international innovation systems, with emphasis on the roles of universities, industry and government in promoting economic prosperity in Latin America and beyond. He is co-chair of the Canada-Brazil Joint Committee for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation, and a member of the board of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Ted holds a PhD in sociology from McMaster University.

Job Titles:

• Vice - President
• Vice - President, Corporate Affairs

Valérie La Traverse was appointed vice-president, Corporate Affairs, effective November 2021. She is responsible for overseeing corporate policy and strategy, performance, evaluation and audit functions, as well as international engagement. She joins SSHRC from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), where she spent most of her professional career, recently returning to Ottawa after four years as head of the commercial section at the Canadian Consulate in Boston. Prior to her role there, Valérie held several key positions as part of Canada's science and technology community, serving as science and technology counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in Washington from 2005 to 2010; deputy and executive director in GAC's international science, technology and innovation partnerships and agreements group; and head of policy research and outreach at GAC, where she co-launched the International Policy Ideas Challenge with SSHRC in 2015. She also served as a key member of the secretariat for the Fundamental Science Review in 2016. Earlier in her career, Valérie was the executive director of the New England-Canada Business Council. Valérie holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from McGill University and a master's in business administration in international business from Concordia University.

Walid Abdelmagid has made significant contributions to the educational landscape of British Columbia through his robust academic background and extensive professional experience. His dedication to education, scientific research and community advocacy has positioned him as a distinguished leader in his field. Throughout his career, Abdelmagid has held key positions in various educational institutions across British Columbia, where he has been instrumental in shaping strategic planning, academic policies and programs. His commitment to education is evident in his mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, particularly in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. His guidance has paved the way for many students to achieve success in their academic and research pursuits, preparing them for careers in science and medicine. Walid's teaching career includes faculty positions at several prestigious institutions, such as the University of the Fraser Valley, the University of Calgary, and The University of British Columbia. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications, fostering a comprehensive learning environment for his students. For the last few years, Abdelmagid has served as president and chief academic officer at Swenam College. In this role, he has demonstrated a profound commitment to excellence in higher education, integrating his expertise in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry to enhance academic programs. His leadership is characterized by a blend of scientific rigor and innovative teaching methodologies, ensuring the institution remains at the forefront of scientific and educational advancements. In addition to his academic and scientific roles, Abdelmagid has worked with numerous pharmaceutical companies, leveraging his expertise to advance research and development in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. His contributions have fostered collaborations that bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications in the pharmaceutical industry. As a research mentor, he has guided multiple undergraduate and graduate students in these fields, nurturing the next generation of scientists. Beyond his scientific and academic achievements, Abdelmagid is a respected business leader and mentor, supporting many MBA graduates with critical guidance and insights for their professional growth. His role as a motivational and keynote speaker underscores his commitment to inspiring future leaders, and he is also a passionate advocate for mental health, promoting awareness and support within the community. Abdelmagid's involvement with various immigrant settlement organizations reflects his dedication to inclusivity and community building. He offers support and resources to help newcomers integrate into Canadian society, ensuring they have access to opportunities and support systems. Abdelmagid's journey is defined by his dedication to fostering an environment of innovation and inclusivity. His leadership at Swenam College and other institutions is a testament to his vision of recognizing and nurturing the potential of every student. By embracing diverse perspectives and promoting scientific excellence, Abdelmagid continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of education and research.

Job Titles:

• Chairman

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• CEO and Chief Librarian, Halifax Public Libraries

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Independent Audit Committee
• Professor of Political Science and Vice - Dean
• Professor, and Vice - Dean of Research, Faculty of Arts and Science, Université De Montréal

Éric Montpetit is Professor of Political Science and Vice-Dean, Research, in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the Université de Montréal. He is a member of the Commission de l'éthique en science et en technologie du Québec and a researcher at the Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur la science et la technologie. In 1999, he obtained a PhD in Comparative and Canadian Public Policy from McMaster University. His research focuses on the behavior of actors in public policy, and more specifically on the politics of scientific expertise. His publications cover a wide range of public policy issues, including soil contamination, biotechnologies, energy, climate change and public health. His most recent book was published by Cambridge University Press, and his previous work, Misplaced Distrust, won the American Political Science Association's Lynton Keith Caldwell Award for the best book on environmental policy published in the last three years.