The size of this conference is almost unparalleled; it will be one of the most important conferences in Acfas history after last year’s event, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the association. As such, attendance at this conference will be much larger than in 2009, the last time the conference was held at the University of Ottawa.
Under the overall theme of Mobiliser les savoirs en français [mobilizing knowledge in French], scholars from every discipline will broadcast the results of their research through a packed schedule of over 220 symposiums and 410 free papers. Their research provides new perspectives on today’s world and its challenges: how to improve immigrant integration, what environmental controversies will arise due to climate change, what kinds of boundaries should we impose on artificial intelligence, why are elderly renters socially excluded from certain areas, what social issues are related to energy insecurity, what issues do minority language community members face in accessing health care, to name a few.
“It’s an honour to begin my term with the 91st conference, an inescapable venue for research in French and the largest academic multidisciplinary gathering in the Francophonie. Hosted in partnership with the University of Ottawa, the 2024 conference is the first to be held outside Quebec in the past decade and one of the largest in its history. This illustrates Acfas’ extra efforts to promote the dissemination and outreach of research conducted in French in Quebec and in Francophone areas of Canada. As we stand on the brink of our second century, Acfas has never shone more brightly,” saidMartin Maltais, the newest Acfas president.
“We are proud of this close partnership with Acfas, which illustrates our commitment to our Francophone mission, and proud of this opportunity to welcome researchers from around the world to the University of Ottawa,” said uOttawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont. “Together, we will celebrate excellence in research conducted in French on an international scale as we reaffirm our openness to the world.”
The conference’s academic program, which is now available on the Acfas website, will take place on the campus of the University of Ottawa and online, a hybrid format that encourages participation and ensures greater dissemination, both here and internationally.
“Together, we will celebrate excellence in research conducted in French on an international scale as we reaffirm our openness to the world”
Jacques Frémont
— uOttawa President and Vice-Chancellor
Activities for the general public to bring science to life!
Science at night among the tulips, therapeutic comic books, amazing scientific images on display during the La preuve par l’image exposition and Un vendredi avec Tardi, the national finals of a competition to present a doctoral thesis in three minutes (MT180), along with piano, drum and other healing rhythms. Some 20 highly creative and free activities, designed with the general public in mind, will be held during the 91st Acfas conference to elicit wonder, surprize and reflection.
This very entertaining program for all audiences will also deal with relevant social issues. For example, the conference’s honorary chairperson, the HonourableMichelle O’Bonsawin, will give a presentation in which she will share her knowledge and thoughts on those afflicted by mental illness, who are too often stigmatized when they become involved in the justice system.
Activities aimed at the general public are posted on the Acfas’ 91st conference website in the Activités spéciales et Science-moi! sections.