The Latest Breaking News from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

As nature connection researchers, we’re aware of the innumerable benefits of spending time outside in nature. We’re also aware that, like so many other interactions, immersing oneself in nature is an experience that is now available virtually. In fact, virtual reality (VR) companies now promote VR nature as tools for…

As the climate crisis accelerates, it’s hard not to wonder if today’s societies can adapt. Growing worries over climate change have sparked interest in the collapse of ancient civilizations and the rise of the (often apocalypse-themed) “cli-fi” genre in popular culture. But before turning to the past for answers, it…

As more households in Canada experience food insecurity, food banks and other organizations are struggling to meet demand for their services. In 2023 alone, around 23 per cent of Canadian households experienced some form of food insecurity. That translates to 8.7 million people, including 2.1 million children, who struggled to…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool.

Online abuse affects one in six school-aged children, according to a recent World Health Organization survey of Europe, Asia and Canada. This statistic is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to online abuse, though, as this issue affects more than just school-aged children.

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is on the rise among Canadian youth. In an international study that included Canada, over half of the young women and girls surveyed reported being sexually threatened and/or sexually harassed online. This kind of sexual violence can include online sexual harassment, extortion, receiving unsolicited explicit images…

In late 2023, the federal government, British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council signed a $1 billion Nature Agreement to protect 30 per cent of B.C.’s lands by 2030.

Disability is a common part of the human experience: the United Nations estimates that 16 per cent of the world’s population is disabled, and a 2019 study from the United States found that over half of American adults aged 18 to 34 have at least one chronic illness.

Digital technologies and the internet have become a part of daily life for many young people in Canada and worldwide. While that increased connectivity brings many benefits, it can also open youth up to online harm and abuse. It is important that meaningful supports are in place to protect young…

A judge in Ontario’s Superior Court has ruled that a 2020 attack on a Toronto massage parlour was an incel-inspired act of terror. This is the first time that an incel-related crime has been labelled a terror offence.

A mother wondered about her two-year-old child Oliver’s socialization with peers when he played at his friend’s house or when he was at his child-care centre. Since Oliver is still learning to talk, he cannot describe his social experiences.