ANSER-ARES offers a number of awards to foster and acknowledge excellence and innovation in the research of nonprofits and social economy in Canada.

Call for Nominations

Awards for Masters and Doctoral Theses (or equivalent)

The Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) has a mission to advance education and research related to nonprofit organizations and the social economy. To foster and recognize graduate student research in these areas, we oer two awards: 1. a master-level award for a master thesis, capstone paper, major research paper or equivalent manuscript required for graduate program completion; and 2. a doctoral-level award for a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

Eligibility Requirements: Full-time landed Immigrant or Canadian graduate students focusing on nonprofit and social economy research; and doctoral or master students who have completed and/or defended their thesis (or equivalent) in the three calendar years before 2025.

Previous Winners

Outstanding Master’s Thesis (or equivalent) Award

2023 – Ms. Ajarat Adegun, for her thesis entitled “The relationship between higher rates of COVID-19 and infrastructure on First Nations Reserves in Manitoba”

2022 – Mr. Babajide Oni, University of Manitoba, for his thesis entitled “Mino Bimaadiziwin Homebuilder program’s impact on sustainable livelihoods among youth in Garden Hill and Wasagamack First Nations: An Evaluative Study”

2021 – Tayzia Trea StormHunter, Cape Breton University, for her thesis entitled “Resource Extraction and First Nation Communities in Canada”

2020- Benjamin Miller, University of Toronto, for his thesis titled “ Wicked Problems Need Genuine Partnerships: A Pan-Canadian Approach to Government/Non-Profit Sector Relations”

2019 – Katherine Dalziel, Carlton University, for her thesis titled “ Comparative Analysis of Canadian Donor-Advised Funds and Australian Sub-funds: Promoting Philanthropy or Ensuring Public Benefit”

2018 – Annabelle Berthiaume, Université du Québec à Montréal , for her M.A. thesis entitled
La gouvernance néolibérale et les organismes communautaires québécois : Étude de la Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon.

2017 –   Annie Tsz-Ying Luk, OISE/University of Toronto, for her M.A. thesis entitled “Beyond Reading and Writing: How Volunteer Tutors Develop Their Practice with Learners in Adult Literacy Programs in Ontario.

2015 – Lysa Mychajluk, OISE/University of Toronto, for her thesis entitled “Building capacity to live and work together at an ecovillage in support of sustainable community: a case study.”

2015 – Anne-Marie Duval, Université Laval, for her project entitled “Pouvoir, Expertise et Logiques: Mieux comprendre la tension inhérente à la gestion des organisations de coopération internationale.”

2014 -Jean-Vincent Bergeron-Gaudin, UQAM, for his thesis entitled “Quand le mouvement communautaire se fait entrepreneur.”

2014 – Micheal Shier, University of Pennsylvania, for his project entitled “Explaining social service non-profit organizations that undertake socially transformative program and initiatives.”

 

Outstanding Doctoral Thesis (or equivalent) Award

2023 – Dr. Ushnish Sengupta, for his thesis entitled “Towards a Values-Based Data Governance Theory in the Social Economy in Ontario”

2022 – Dr. Stewart Hill, University of Manitoba, for her dissertation entitled “The Autoethnography of an Ininiw from God’s Lake, Manitoba, Canada: First Nation Water Governance Flows from Sacred Indigenous Relationships, Responsibilities and Rights to Aski”

2021 – Dr. Annabelle Berthiaume, McGill University, for her Dissertation entitled “Le déploiement de la perspective de l’investissement social dans les politiques “enfance-famille” au Québec: co- construction, engagement parental et mixite social?”

2020 –  Dr. Julia Fursova, York University, for her Dissertation entitled “ Common Health: the role of non-profit organizations in supporting community action for health equity and justice.”

2019 –  Jacqueline Woods, Carlton University, for her Dissertation entitled “State and Self-regulation of Civil Society Organizations in Context: A Case Study of Kenya”

2018 – Jen Budney, University of Saskatchewan, for her Doctoral Dissertation entitled “The ‘Imbecile’ Institution and the Limits of Public Engagement: Art Museums and the Orgranizational Barriers to Public Value Creation.”

2017 – Andrea Chan, OISE University of Toronto, for her Doctoral Dissertation entitled “Understanding Supportive Employment and Job Training in Canadian Social Purpose Enterprises: Drawing from Theories on Social Support.”

2016 – Robert Mittelman, Carleton University, for his Doctoral Dissertation in Management entitled “Charitable Giving to Distant Others.”

2015 – Paloma Raggo, Carleton University, for her thesis entitled “Leaders’ Accounts: A Study of Transnational NGO Leadership Views on Accountability.”

2014  – Marcelo Vieta, York University, for his thesis entitled “Taking Destiny Into their Own Hands.”

The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to research. It also recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding commitment and service to the development of research in the field of nonprofit and social economy studies.

2023 – George Karaphillis, Professor, Cape Breton University

2022 – Dr. Jorge Sousa, University of Alberta

2021 – Dr. Laurie Mook, Arizona State University

2020 – Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Saint Mary’s University

2019 – Dr. Agnes Meinhard, Ryerson University

2018 –  Not awarded

2017 –  Father Greg MacLeod, Cape Breton University

2016 –  Susan Phillips, Carleton University

2015 –  Jack Quarter, OISE/University of Toronto

2014 –  Michael Hall, YMCA of Greater Toronto

2013 –  Vic Murray, University of Victoria

2012 –  Yves Vaillancourt, UQAM

2011 –  Keith Seel,  Mount Royal University

Best Book Award

This prize is awarded for the best book on the social economy sector in Canada published during the three calendar years preceding the year of the award.

2014 –  Rachel Laforest, Queen’s University, for her book Voluntary Sector Organizations and the State: Building New Relations, published by UBC Press in 2011.