Canadian expertise in social sciences sparks interest from science authorities in Washington

One the most promising areas of research Canada can offer to the US is an understanding of terrorism. At a Nov. 19 meeting of senior science administrators from both countries, the science advisor to president George W. Bush and others showed particular interest in research funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The granting council tabled a document that was used extensively at the Washington meeting. Entitled “Towards a Research Agenda on Terrorism, Security and Intercultural Relations”, it highlights Canada’s expertise in the social sciences and what further research is needed. Areas identified include developing a greater understanding of the Western-Islamic divide, global anti-Americanism, and the causes of terrorism.

“There is an overwhelming wealth of knowledge here in Canada.,” says SSHRC president Dr Marc Renaud. “I told (secretary of state for Science, Research and Development) Gilbert Normand that SSHRC should think about an immediate program to do outreach of the key know-ledge it has”, through conferences, lectures, public debates and newspaper articles. SSHRC would also consider a funding competition focused on knowledge transfer, as well as developing a research action plan related to the current crisis.

Renaud stressed the importance of including SSHRC in any research with the US, saying the current crisis is unlike past conflicts. “World War I was about chemistry. World War II was about physics and the Gulf War was about computer science. This war is about the social sciences.”

The Washington-based Center for Science Policy & Outcomes agrees more study is needed in this area. In a recently published article, the Center says the US Nat-ional Academies must do more to integrate the social and behavioral sciences into future plans for the Middle East. It notes: “Nothing much beyond planning is happening now. Indeed a search of the publications and studies list of the social sciences board shows nothing in the way of studies relevant to understanding connections between terrorism, culture, education, or reform.”

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