About SSHRC

Executive Team

Chad Gaffield, President
Michel Cavallin, Vice-President, Common Administrative Services
Carmen Charette, Executive Vice-President
Brent Herbert-Copley, Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships
Gisèle Yasmeen, Vice-President, Partnerships

Chad Gaffield, President

Chad Gaffield, one of Canada’s foremost historians, was appointed president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) on September 18, 2006. Gaffield came to SSHRC from the University of Ottawa, where he held a University Research Chair and was the founding director of the Institute of Canadian Studies. During his 20-year University of Ottawa career, he also served as vice-dean of graduate studies and on the executive committee of the board of governors. He is a former president of the Canadian Historical Association and the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

An expert on 19th- and 20th-century Canada, Gaffield has analyzed the ways demographic, economic and cultural changes influence, and are influenced by, institutional and political history. He is most well known for his reinterpretation of major historical events in the making of modern Canada as expressions of micro-historical transformations—changes occurring in the lives of everyday people. He has also led major research initiatives, including the Canadian Century Research Infrastructure project, which involves universities and partner organizations from St. John’s, Nfld. to Victoria, B.C.

Gaffield has won many awards for his teaching, research and innovative theories and methods related to computer-based, interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, he received the society’s J.B. Tyrrell Historical Medal in 2004 for his outstanding contribution to the study of Canada. In 2007, the Canadian Association of University Teachers presented him with its Distinguished Academic Award in recognition of excellence in teaching, research and service to the community. The University of Ottawa named him Researcher of Year in 1995 and Professor of the Year in 2002, only the second time that a professor has been chosen for both awards. Gaffield has also been honoured with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003, received an honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University in 2007, and was the recipient of the 2008 Prix de la francophonie de l'Ontario.

Chad Gaffield received his BA and MA from McGill University, and his PhD from the University of Toronto.

Michel Cavallin, Vice-President, Common Administrative Services

A federal public servant for more than 22 years, Michel has worked for Revenue Canada, Transport Canada and the National Research Council.

For many years a member of the Human Resources Council and the Advisory Committee on Personnel, Michel has contributed to the HR community through his participation in a variety of organizations, boards and committees. He chaired the board for the Human Resources Information System Group, which includes representatives of 32 small government departments and agencies. He was a member of the Compensation Review Committee for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, and in April 2006, he was appointed to the Advisory Board on Compensation Analysis and Research for the Public Service of Canada.

Michel joined SSHRC and NSERC in 1997 as human resources director and was promoted to his current position in 2002.

Michel has an MA in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa.

Carmen Charette, Executive Vice-President

Carmen has been involved in supporting research, research training and innovation in Canada for more than 20 years. She joined the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) when it was first created in 1997, building on her experience at NSERC, where she had managed various research funding programs between 1983 and 1997. Before 1983, she worked as a researcher, at the Canadian Conservation Institute.

As CFI’s senior vice-president until September 2006, Carmen designed and implemented strategies, policies and programs for a $3.65-billion investment in research infrastructure in institutions across the country. Carmen also did a brief stint as executive director of external relations and innovation for the Science and Innovation Sector at Industry Canada before coming to SSHRC.

Carmen holds degrees in biochemistry and business administration from the University of Ottawa.

Brent Herbert-Copley, Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships

Brent comes to SSHRC from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), where he held a variety of positions, including, most recently, that of Director for Social and Economic Policy programs. Before joining IDRC, Brent worked at the North-South Institute, a leading Canadian think-tank on development issues.

Brent’s own research has focused on understanding the process of innovation, and the way that government polices—including environmental regulation—affect that process. He has also focused on the links between research and public policy, and the role of scholarly research in helping to inform public debate on policy options. Brent brings to SSHRC a range of contacts, internationally and within Canada, as well as experience working with government agencies, foundations and the university community to build support for research and scholarship.

Brent holds a PhD in political science and a master’s degree in international affairs from Carleton University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in political science from The University of Western Ontario.

Gisèle Yasmeen, Vice-President, Partnerships

Gisèle's career has spanned everything from research, teaching and international development to journalism and communications. It has taken her from Montreal to Vancouver, from Ottawa to Bangkok.

As a consultant, she worked for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the Canadian International Development Agency and the International Development Research Centre. From 2000 to 2003 she was a radio columnist for Radio-Canada and CBC in Vancouver. She was also the founding regional director of the Canadian Unity Council’s Centre for Research and Information on Canada for BC and the Yukon.

Before coming to SSHRC in 2007, Gisèle worked for Elections Canada as senior director for outreach, communications and research.

Gisèle has a PhD from UBC, an MA from McGill and a B.A. Honours from University of Ottawa.