Leadership transition at SSHRC

Press Release

February 26, 2026

New interim leadership

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is approaching a leadership transition as the term of its current president, Ted Hewitt, comes to an end on February 28, 2026.

While the Government of Canada pursues recruitment of a new SSHRC president through a Governor in Council appointment process, Normand Labrie, vice-president and chair of SSHRC’s governing council, will assume the powers of the president, effective March 1, 2026.

At the same time, Labrie will become chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC). The CRCC chair position rotates annually between the presidents of Canada’s three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and SSHRC.

Day-to-day operations at SSHRC will be led by Sylvie Lamoureux, vice-president, research, who will take on the role of chief operating officer during this transition period.

Recognizing Ted Hewitt’s legacy

Hewitt joined SSHRC in 2012 as executive vice-president before being appointed president in 2015. He served as the inaugural chair of the CRCC, becoming the first to hold a second term in 2023. He has also served as permanent chair of the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat Steering Committee, which governs Canada’s most prestigious national research programs, including the Canada Research Chairs, Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, and Research Support Fund, among others.

Throughout the last decade, Hewitt has made several lasting contributions to Canada’s research ecosystem and broader Canadian society. Some of the many highlights include: the recent launch of the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs and Emerging Leaders programs to attract world-leading researchers whose work will help build a stronger, more resilient Canada; the new SSHRC Policy Innovation Partnership Grants to drive long-term research on issues of importance to Canadians; the creation of the New Frontiers in Research Fund to support high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary and international research; pursuing Indigenous reconciliation through strengthening Indigenous research and research training capacity; enhancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within Canada’s research ecosystem; and driving outreach and engagement activities to ensure the benefits of federally funded research are experienced in communities across Canada.

Hewitt has been a strong advocate for early career researchers, knowledge mobilization, open access, Indigenous research leadership, francophone scholarship and social sciences and humanities research infrastructure. His efforts have helped secure a prominent place for the social sciences and humanities within Canada’s innovation landscape and in international research policy discussions.

SSHRC extends its deep appreciation to Hewitt for his vision, dedication and service. We look forward to a smooth leadership transition as we continue to advance research excellence across Canada.

For more information, contact: medias@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

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