Recognizing Excellence in Canadian Scholarship
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences has unveiled the 2026 Canada Prizes shortlist, spotlighting ten outstanding scholarly books that exemplify the depth, originality, and transformative power of research produced in Canada. These works, drawn from the Federation’s Scholarly Book Awards program, span English and French languages and feature contributions from both emerging and established authors. The prizes underscore the vital role of humanities and social sciences scholarship in addressing contemporary challenges, from Indigenous resurgence and decolonization to urban inequality and cultural expression.
Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canada Prizes celebrate books that are inspiring, impactful, and transformative. Each year, five winners receive $4,000 each, with dedicated recognition for first-time authors in both official languages and at least one additional French-language title. The 2026 shortlist reflects a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, aligning with broader efforts across Canadian universities and research institutions to foster inclusive knowledge production.
The Federation and Its Role in Canadian Higher Education
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences serves as a key national voice for scholars in the humanities and social sciences. It supports research dissemination, advocates for funding, and organizes major events such as the annual Congress and the Big Thinking Summit. The Canada Prizes form part of its Scholarly Book Awards initiative, which provides crucial assistance to authors publishing with Canadian university presses. This ecosystem strengthens the connection between academic research and public discourse, helping universities fulfill their missions of advancing knowledge and training the next generation of researchers.
Canadian university presses, including UBC Press, McGill-Queen’s University Press, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, and the University of Ottawa Press, feature prominently on the shortlist. These presses play an essential role in the scholarly publishing landscape, often prioritizing works that might not attract commercial interest yet hold significant intellectual value for academics, policymakers, and the broader public.
Highlights from the 2026 Shortlist
The ten shortlisted titles address pressing themes in Canadian and global contexts. Marie-Ève Bradette’s Langue(s) en portage : Résurgence littéraire et langagière dans les écritures autochtones féminines, published by Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, explores literary and linguistic resurgence in Indigenous women’s writings. Éléna Choquette’s Land and the Liberal Project: Canada’s Violent Expansion from UBC Press examines the historical intersections of liberalism and territorial expansion. The edited volume Deyohahá:ge:: Sharing the River of Life by Daniel Coleman, Ki’en Debicki, and Bonnie M. Freeman, issued by Wilfrid Laurier University Press, brings together perspectives on Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship.
Other notable entries include Patrick M. Condon’s Broken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis (UBC Press), which analyzes contemporary urban challenges; Dominique Garand’s Anthologie du pamphlet et de la polémique au Québec de 1800 à 2000 (Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal), documenting Quebec’s rich tradition of polemical writing; and Susie O’Brien’s What the World Might Look Like: Decolonial Stories of Resilience and Refusal from McGill-Queen’s University Press. Additional titles cover topics ranging from Black Canadian poetry and citizenship to gender norms in dance traditions and francophone theatre.
The shortlist was selected by the Scholarly Book Awards Academic Council from works that received Federation support. This rigorous process ensures recognition of scholarship that advances understanding across disciplines while promoting diverse voices.
Winners Announced at the 30th Anniversary Gala
Five winners were revealed on June 10, 2026, during the Federation’s 30th Anniversary Gala titled “At the Inflection Point,” held as part of the Big Thinking Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. The gala highlighted the prizes’ evolution, including a restructured format launched in late 2024 that expanded recognition to five $4,000 awards with explicit categories for first-time authors and French-language works.
The 2026 winners are Marie-Ève Bradette (French, first-time author), Éléna Choquette (English, first-time author), the team behind Deyohahá:ge:: Sharing the River of Life (English, previously published authors), Dominique Garand (French, previously published author), and Marianne-Sarah Saulnier for Les femmes cobra : La danse comme espace de transgression des normes de genre au Rajasthan (unrestricted category). These selections demonstrate the prizes’ emphasis on both emerging talent and established contributions that push scholarly boundaries.
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Impact on Canadian Universities and Research Communities
The Canada Prizes elevate the profile of humanities and social sciences research within Canadian higher education. University administrators and faculty often cite such awards when advocating for continued investment in these disciplines, which face funding pressures compared to STEM fields. The recognition helps early-career scholars build profiles essential for tenure, promotion, and securing grants from bodies like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Many shortlisted authors are affiliated with Canadian universities, reinforcing the link between institutional support and high-quality output. The prizes also encourage interdisciplinary approaches, as seen in works blending history, literature, Indigenous studies, and urban planning. This aligns with trends in Canadian academia toward collaborative research that addresses complex societal issues.
Historical Context and Program Evolution
The Canada Prizes have a storied history, with past winners addressing topics such as Indigenous intellectual traditions, institutional violence, and environmental change. A significant review beginning in 2021 led to the current structure, incorporating stronger equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization principles. The shift from two larger prizes to five awards broadens participation and reflects feedback from the scholarly community.
This evolution mirrors changes across Canadian higher education, where institutions increasingly prioritize inclusive practices in hiring, curriculum, and research evaluation. The Federation’s commitment to these values positions the prizes as both celebratory and forward-looking.
Broader Implications for Scholarly Publishing
Scholarly book publishing in Canada faces challenges including rising production costs, shifting reader habits, and the need for open-access models. The Canada Prizes highlight the enduring importance of the monograph format for in-depth argumentation and nuanced analysis. University presses continue to serve as vital outlets, often partnering with authors on works that contribute to public policy debates and cultural understanding.
Events like the Big Thinking Summit provide platforms for winners and shortlisted authors to engage with policymakers, journalists, and the public, extending the reach of academic research beyond campus boundaries.
Looking Ahead: Future of the Canada Prizes
As the Federation marks its 30th anniversary, the Canada Prizes stand poised to continue championing Canadian scholarship. Future cycles will likely build on the reimagined structure, further integrating principles of equity and decolonization. For PhD candidates and early-career researchers, these awards offer models of impactful work and pathways to recognition.
Interested scholars can explore the Scholarly Book Awards program for support in bringing their manuscripts to publication. The Federation encourages ongoing dialogue through its newsletter and social media channels using the hashtag #CanadaPrizes.
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Conclusion: Celebrating Transformative Scholarship
The 2026 Canada Prizes shortlist and winners affirm the strength and diversity of humanities and social sciences research in Canada. By honoring books that inspire reflection and drive change, the Federation and its partners reinforce the value of scholarly inquiry in building a more informed, equitable society. Canadian universities, presses, and funding agencies play central roles in sustaining this vibrant intellectual ecosystem, ensuring that groundbreaking work reaches audiences who need it most.
