News from the SSHRC

[Malcolm.Pettigrove@anu.edu.au]

The following message comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) via Kym Fraser at Monash University.

______________________________________

Visiting Experts Initiative for Research Evaluation at the SSHRC.

In the interests of enhancing our approaches to evaluation, the Social
Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is
implementing a Visiting Experts Initiative that provides for working
visits of six to twelve month duration in the Evaluation and Statistics
Division of the SSHRC for experts in research evaluation.  This
initiative is open to Canadians and non-Canadians.

The focus of the initiative is on the development of methods and
approaches for research evaluation with specific application to the
social sciences and the humanities in Canada.  At the same time, the
visitor will be called upon in an advisory capacity with respect to
other evaluation activities at the SSHRC, (e.g. program evaluation
studies).

A preliminary list of topics of interest to the SSHRC includes :

        the development of discipline-specific performance indices for
research productivity, dissemination, and impact of Canadian researchers
in the social sciences and the humanities.

        the development of a framework for assessing the incremental impact of
doctoral fellowships in the social sciences and humanities in Canada.

        identification of the relationship between various characteristics of
SSHRC doctoral candidates and performance in terms of the completion of
requirements for the doctoral degree, the time required to complete the
degree, career path, and scholarly performance.

        evaluation of the consequences for research productivity and the
demand for research funding of staffing freezes and cutbacks in the
professoriate in the social sciences and the humanities in Canada.

        assessment of the nature and significance of bias in the SSHRC's peer
review system and identification of potential solutions.

This list is not exhaustive and the SSHRC is willing to entertain
proposals on additional topics of interest to the SSHRC.

The candidates should be proficient in speaking and writing of English
or French, and should have established expertise in research evaluation,
as evidenced by work experience and publications.  Remuneration will be
commensurate with the visitor's normal salary and will be paid under the
terms of a services contract.  Non-Canadians will require a work visa
which the SSHRC can help to obtain.

Regular daily attendance at the SSHRC will be a condition of the
contract.  An equipped office, administrative and clerical support, and
financial support as necessary for the completion of the project will be
provided by the SSHRC.  Financial assistance for re-location expenses is
available.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Robert Hanson
Director, Evaluation and Statistics Division
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
350 Albert Street
P.O. Box 1610
Ottawa, Ontario   K1P 6G4
CANADA

by mail, by telephone at (613) 992-5148 and on Internet at
RJH@CS.SSHRC.CA.