Members of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Here, innovation meets tradition and curiosity fuels our endeavors. To catch a glimpse of our latest discoveries, browse through the selection of recent news stories below.

To learn about ongoing research projects, visit the HSS Research Showcase!

May 2024

Researchers investigate concerning increase in mass die-off events of salmon populations

Dr. Charles Mather (Geography) cited in article detailing salmon populations that are experiencing mass die-off events. The Cool Down

April 2024

COVID-19 kicked off a workplace cultural shift, making it hard to fill positions, says employers

Dr. Tony Fang (Economics) has researched the changes the pandemic has had on businesses across Atlantic Canada and has released a paper detailing his findings. CBC NL

United Nations Plastics Treaty Talks in Ottawa

Delegates from around the world are meeting in Ottawa to resume talks on ending plastic pollution, members of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee hope to have a legally binding United Nations Global Plastics Treaty finalised by the end of the year. Featuring the research of Dr. Max Liboiron (Geography). CBC NL Morning Show Clip 1 | Clip 2

Linguistic legacy: Canada Research Chair to continue work supporting Indigenous language revival

Dr. Nicholas Welch (Linguistics) has been reappointed as a tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in change, adaptation and revitalization in Indigenous languages. Gazette

Water-guzzling chipmaker TSMC and drought-plagued Arizona are an unlikely pair, but officials say Phoenix’s water supply can handle booming production

Dr. Josh Lepawsky (Geography) cited as part of story on water-stress in Arizona. Fortune

Acclaimed Researcher Part of Investigation into Cape Ray Wreck

Dr. Carissa Brown, RSC (Geography) has collected and begun analyzing wood samples as part of the invetigation into the shipwreck off the coast of Cape Ray. NTV

Tech's Toll

Dr. Josh Lepawsky (Geography) interviewed about latest research findings on the impact water-stress from semiconductor manufacturing. Gazette

March 2024

Histories, Conversations, Insights

Dr. Harris Berger (Ethnomusicology) has been reappointed as a tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC). Gazette

Critics fear catastrophic energy crisis as AI is outsourced to Latin America

Dr. Josh Lepawsky (Geography) provides expert consult for aricle on AI related energy crisis in Latin America. Mongabay & South African News Now

N.L. protest cause rooted in price-setting systems for fishers and processors

Dr. Sean Caddigan (History) provides the expert consult on history of NL price-setting systems. Toronto Star

Why Massive Numbers of Farmed Salmon Are Dying

Dr. Charles Mather (Geography) and his research profiled as part of a global study on mass fish mortality in aquaculture. Time

This researcher is working to learn the story behind the shipwreck in Cape Ray

Dr. Carissa Brown (Geography) has been given wood samples of the shipwreck that washed ashore in N.L, which has received international media attention. CBC

January 2024

Are N.L. accents dying? No, b'y — but they are changing

Dr. Paul De Decker (Linguistics) speaks on the evolution and efforts to preserve Newfoundland and Labrador's regional accents. CBC

Warming waters a case of good news, bad news for P.E.I. oyster harvesters

Dr. Joel Finnis (Geography) is cited as part of a stort on the effects of climate change on oysrter harvesting. CBC

Ottawa supports Big Oil’s costly climate scam

Dr. Angela Carter (Politcal Science) provides expert commentary on carbon capture and storage initiatives. Toronto Star

December 2023

Solving ‘sea-blindness’

Dr. Julia Stryker (History) speaks on her research and efforts to help the general public overcome a deficit in maritime knowledge. Gazette