Fifteen McMaster researchers have been awarded over $2.4 million from the funding Council (SSHRC).

Fourteen researchers across several faculties received Insight Grants and one researcher received a Partnership Development Grant. Their research projects encompass a diverse range of topics, including the influence of tech companies on policy and public services, the self-care practices of post-secondary students, the origins and prevention of racial biases and the ways we detect and engage with cybercrime threats.

The funding was announced by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry.

“Now, more than ever, social sciences and humanities research plays an integral role as we navigate through the post-COVID-19 reality and continue to build a healthier, stronger and more prosperous Canada,” says Champagne.

“These grants enable scholars to address complex issues about communities and societies, and to further our collective understanding so we can build a better future for all Canadians.”

Karen Mossman, McMaster’s vice-president of research, says SSHRC grants are a key source of support for researchers across the University.

“Congratulations to the recipients of these awards for this well-deserved support. SSHRC’s continued investments ensure that our research communities have the resources they need to conduct projects that address societal challenges and improve our understanding of the world around us.”

Insight Grant

Insight Grants support both emerging and established scholars as they conduct research that addresses complex issues about individuals and societies, informing the search for solutions to societal challenges.

DeGroote School of Business

Yun Zhou, Operations Management
Project title: Welfare implications of peer-to-peer short term rental platforms on society

Ken Li, Accounting and Financial Management
Project title: Value relevance: A large sample content analysis of analyst reports and corporate filings

Milena Head, Information Systems
Project title: Helping older adults to better cope with information technology threats

Kai Huang, Operations Management
Project title: Improve social sustainability in electric vehicle charging infrastructure development

Kevin Veenstra, Accounting and Financial Management
Project title: The emerging importance of individual honesty on firm honesty and creativity

Faculty of Health Sciences

Magdalena Janus, Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences
Project title: Are poverty reduction and early-learning policy investments associated with improved early childhood outcomes in Canada?

Faculty of Humanities

Sara Bannerman, Communication Studies and Multimedia
Project title: Digital governance in Canada: Politics, players, and struggles for influence

Faculty of Science

Sukhvinder Obhi, Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
Project title: Power and diversity: How power, context and social identity affect social cognition and behaviour

Naiqi Xiao, Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
Project title: The origins and early development of racial biases

Faculty of Social Sciences

Ana Duggan, Anthropology
Project title: In crypts and cabinets: uniting ancient DNA and the history of medicine to re-examine the emergence of smallpox and the advent of vaccination

James Gillet, Health, Aging and Society
Project title: Portraits of care: A qualitative approach to the study of post-secondary student well-being

Alok Johri, Economics
Project title: An exploration of the differing average levels of interest rates on national debt

Bettina Brueggemann, Economics
Project title: Secondary markets for entrepreneurial businesses: evidence and theory

Maxim Ivanov, Economics
Project title: Welfare implications of uninformed pricing

Partnership Development Grant

Partnership Development Grants support researchers in establishing partnerships with new and existing partners to foster innovative research, training and the co-creation of new knowledge on critical issues of intellectual, social, economic and cultural significance.

Kelsey Harvey, Macpherson Institute, Interdisciplinary Science

Project title: Applying a 4M framework to interprofessional education: Connecting the academy to local, global, and Indigenous communities

Read here: Q&A with Kelsey Harvey on supporting research to help students learn and work across disciplines

A full list of the awards can be found on the SSHRC website.