Giving to the Faculty of Social Science

The Faculty of Social Science is pleased to announce new initiatives to make Western and the Faculty of Social Science the best learning experience at a leading Canadian research university.

Contributions to these initiatives are very much appreciated. Please donate through Western Alumni, and specify which initiative you would like to support.

Endowed Research Chairs

As part of our strategic plan and focus on research excellence and departmental renewal, each Department in Social Science has identified research specializations. Specialization will allow our Departments to excel in particular research areas by building on existing areas of strength. Our goal is for each Department to be the best, or among the best, in Canada in at least one signature area of research.

To support this goal, we are seeking funds to support endowed Research Chairs in the strategic areas identified by each of our Departments.

The Social Science Distinguished Lecture Series

With support from donors and alumni, we will create a Social Science Distinguished Lecture series. The series will give our Departments, and the Faculty more generally, the capacity to host leading scholars from distant institutions on a regular basis. These lectures will provide exposure for our Departments to universities across the world, and the community as a whole. 

Each Department will have at least one distinguished visiting academic deliver a public lecture each year as part of the overall Social Science series.

NEST: the Network for Economic and Social Trends

Shape policy for a prosperous future.

The past several decades have been marked by many important social and economic trends: a slowdown in economic growth, rising inequality, and increasing ethnic diversity. Canada and the United States are at a cross-road in terms of their social and economic prospects.

NEST, the Network for Economic and Social Trends, will be the centerpiece of interdisciplinary research in the Faculty of Social Science, bringing together experts from the university and beyond to produce policy research to promote economic security and growth. 

You can support different initiatives within NEST:

  • Endowed Post-Doctoral research positions
  • A Distinguished Speaker Series for NEST
  • Distinguished Visitors program, bringing in academics or policy makers
  • Annual conferences
  • Naming or sponsorship opportunities