The Latest Breaking News from SSHRC

In the age of AI, human creative output is becoming a luxury

Imagine two identical spoons. One is hand-wrought from silver by a skilled metalworker. The other, a base-metal facsimile, was mass-produced by a machine. Which would you value more? Most of us would say the handmade spoon.

The Conversation · May 5

How should schools teach AI? 3 models to consider

Students across Canada are exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) whether through search engines, writing assistants, automated recommendation systems or social media.

The Conversation · May 3

Canada’s cybersecurity sector has a pipeline problem — and a glass ceiling

Canada is facing a well-documented shortage of cybersecurity workers, with estimates suggesting a shortfall of 25,000 to 30,000 qualified professionals — a figure projected to grow to 100,000 by 2035. The persistence of this labour shortage weakens Canada’s capacity to defend itself against cybersecurity threats.

The Conversation · Apr 8

The federal government tables bail reform bill: 5 ways to strengthen Canada’s bail system

The Liberal government has introduced bail reform legislation to expand “reverse-onus” provisions in the Criminal Code, stipulating that someone accused of a crime, rather than the Crown, must demonstrate why they should be released before trial.

The Conversation · Oct 23, 2025

Canada still lacks universal paid sick leave — and that’s a public health problem as we approach flu season

As Canadians head into another flu and COVID season, many workers still face an impossible choice if they fall ill: stay home and lose pay, or clock in sick and risk spreading illness. This is more than an individual dilemma; it’s a predictable public health failure — one the government…

The Conversation · Oct 16, 2025

Dense, compact urban growth is favoured by mid-sized Canadian cities

Canada’s mid-sized cities — those with populations between 50,000 to 500,000 — have long been characterized as low-density, dispersed and decentralized. In these cities, cars dominate, public transit is limited and residents prefer the space and privacy of suburban neighbourhoods.

The Conversation · Sep 23, 2025

What’s in a name? How the sound of names can bias hiring decisions

Imagine you’re hiring someone for a job that requires a very kind, agreeable and co-operative person. You have two candidates and all you know about them are their names: Renee and Greta. Who do you think would be a better fit?

The Conversation · Aug 28, 2025

Child eyewitnesses can be unreliable, but new techniques can support them

There is often a dramatic scene in crime shows where an eyewitness points to a suspect in a police lineup. This identification looks convincing on television, and it is also convincing in real-world investigations. But here’s the problem: eyewitnesses can often be wrong. Their mistakes are a leading cause of…

The Conversation · Aug 20, 2025

Why bolstering post-secondary education for former youth in care is a wise investment

As we move closer to the start of the fall term, returning to school is often a source of conversation and excitement.

The Conversation · Aug 6, 2025

All women — not just mothers — could benefit from more workplace flexibility

Despite progress toward gender equity, many women continue to take on the majority of unpaid labour within their households, including housework and child care.

The Conversation · Jul 28, 2025