Members    Collective Agreement    Publications    Blog    Links    About QUFA   

Statement regarding Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models conference

Chad Gaffield,
President of SSHRC

Dear Dr Gaffield:

The Queen's University Faculty Association (QUFA) understands that you have refused Minister Gary Goodyear's request to initiate a second peer review process on the grant for the conference, "Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models of Statehood and Paths to Peace." In the name of academic freedom, we thank you.

We would like to express our disappointment, however, that SSHRC is requiring any form of reporting from the conference organizers at this stage given that the SSHRC Grant Holder's Guide for the Aid to Research Workshops and Conferences program specifies in its post-award procedures:

Program changes: Minor changes (e.g., replacement of guest speakers, the addition of a new topic) do not require prior SSHRC approval provided the event remains essentially the same. Approval for major program changes (e.g., changing the theme or focus of the event) must be requested in writing to SSHRC. If you are unsure about what constitutes a minor or major change, consult a SSHRC program officer.

Guest speakers change: Clearly, it is in the nature of workshops and conferences that some guest speakers may have to be replaced at the last moment. No prior SSHRC approval is required for such limited changes but they must be mentioned in the report of activities submitted at the conclusion of the grant.

As this makes clear, approval for major changes are made at the request of the grant holders and the reporting of minor program changes is required only "at the conclusion of the grant."

QUFA encourages the Council instead to confirm its continued support for this conference as swiftly as possible.

Sincerely,

Catherine Christie
QUFA President

copies: Principal Tom Williams, Vice-Principal Kerry Rowe, Vice-Principal Patrick Deane

2009.06.12