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Dear Canadian,
In just two weeks, we'll mark an important day here at Berkeley. On Thursday, March 9, the entire campus and alumni worldwide will come together for our annual fundraising extravaganza: Big Give. Your support makes an impact, and is especially critical for small units like Canadian Studies, which is up to 90% donor-funded.
Over the last year, our Program has largely returned to its vibrant pre-pandemic activity. Our Hildebrand Fellows are back in the field conducting research, and we’ve awarded two postdoctoral Sproul Fellowships this term. Our Colloquia continue to draw friends and colleagues from around the world.
We’re also growing. One of our key goals this year is to broaden our support for Canadian research in Northern California, and we’ve launched several projects to do just that. Since our discretionary funding comes exclusively from annual giving, you'll play a crucial role in launching these important initiatives.
Last year, we engaged four new faculty affiliates from other universities in the Bay Area and beyond (some of whom are highlighted in this semester’s Colloquium). These efforts advanced two of our Program’s strategic goals: they helped us deepen our bench of Canadianists, while positioning us as leaders of Canadianist research in Northern California. Moving forward, we aim to offer these scholars additional financial support by expanding our existing faculty research grant program to other UC campuses. By funding these travel and research expenses, we hope to build a stronger community of Canadianists in California, and make it easier for faculty in California to engage with issues north of the border.
Second, we’re launching a pilot undergraduate research program modeled on our Hildebrand Fellowship. This program will provide exciting new opportunities for undergrads to conduct Canadianist research from their very first year at Berkeley, thereby helping us build a pipeline for future engagement. We’ve already received proposals for several projects, including a study of the effectiveness of Canada’s foreign humanitarian aid; a project connecting economics and democratic attitudes in Canada and countries facing increasing authoritarianism; and a photo essay on border control along the Maine-Quebec border.
Finally, we’re planning a conference for fall 2023 providing a comparative look at the influence of tech firms in the development of burgeoning North American urban regions. It’s still in the planning stages, but we‘re in discussions with experts at leading Canadian and U.S. universities to convene a dynamic group to explore how these cross-border developments can benefit both Canadian and American cities.
Your support is essential to help launch and grow these initiatives and strengthen our community. Your donations are crucial to the success of our program. Please donate on Big Give!
Keep an eye on our newsletter for details about how to maximize your imact on March 9. On behalf of the Canadian Studies Program, our students, faculty, and affiliates, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
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