The Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada has begun an 18-month project on the role of "performance indicators" (PIs) in the humanities and social sciences.
Using funds provided by the SSHRC, a new Federation Advisory Committee on Performance Indicators will begin by sponsoring research projects to survey the uses of PIs in universities in Canada and elsewhere, particularly with reference to the social sciences and the humanities. Members of the Advisory Committee on Performance Indicators are Dr. Louise Robert (HSSFC/project chair), Dean Marian Binkley (Dalhousie), Prof. Guy Berthiaume (UQAM), Dean Kate McCrone (Windsor), Dr. Michael Owen (Ryerson/HSSFC), Dean Raymond Currie (Manitoba), Prof. Claire Polster (Regina), and Prof. Bill Bruneau (UBC).
At a later stage, the project will undertake extensive critical and analytical studies of PIs, to assess their utility or disutility, to judge their long- and short-term impacts in research and teaching in the humanities and social sciences, and to recommend a policy on PIs to the Federation, and possibly to the SSHRC.
At its first meeting on March 1, the Committee decided to invite proposals for studies of the published research on four topics. The first is for a survey of the quantitative and qualitative information that Canadian universities provide when asked to provide government or outside agencies with "performance data." The study will also survey the information universities gather on their own, to show the value of teaching and research, especially in the media or in other public campaigns.
The second study will be a survey of recent publications on the effects of PIs on post-secondary education in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and elsewhere, as appropriate.
The third study will be a summary of recent work showing how the humanities and social sciences have significant impacts on the political, social, and cultural life in various jurisdictions (including PIs that might demonstrate that impact).
The fourth study will be a review of published work on links between PIs, and various movements such as Total Quality Management and Comprehensive Auditing, among others.
CAUT members, or their graduate students, interested in submitting a proposal for one of the studies should contact Dr. Louise Robert, Executive Director, HSSFC (e-mail: robert@hssfc.ca; tel. 613.238.6112, ext. 302) for details about timing, funding, and the appropriate form of proposals to the HSSFC. Deadline for proposals is April 15, 1999. The Federation will grant up to $2,500 to support each study. Successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 1999. Deadline for completed projects is August 15, 1999.