WATERLOO - As part of the federal government's recent Canada Research Chair appointments, Wilfrid Laurier University received $1.4 million in funding to support the Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights over the next seven years.

The funding represents a renewal of Dr. Rhoda Howard-Hassmann's seven-year, Tier 1 appointment as Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights in the social sciences and humanities category. Her original appointment began in 2003.

"We are very excited and pleased to have this chair renewed. It speaks to Dr. Howard-Hassmann's excellence as a researcher and her commitment to her discipline," said Deb MacLatchy, Laurier's vice-president: academic and provost. "Her work exemplifies why governance and social and cultural analysis are two of our identified areas of excellence in Laurier's new academic plan."

Howard-Hassmann's current research investigates past and present examples of state-induced famine. Her interdisciplinary research integrates the study of human rights with the study of international public policy. Through her research, Howard-Hassmann has the potential to not only provide an analysis of starvation as a political act, but also in the long term to have an effect on human rights norms, international law, and public policy.

"Our government is investing in research to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians' quality of life," said Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener-Waterloo. "The Canada Research Chairs program is helping our universities develop, attract and retain talented people, strengthening our capacity for leading-edge research, and creating jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians now and in the future."

In addition to Howard-Hassmann, Laurier's Canada Research Chairs include:

* Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Dr. Philip R. Servos

* Canada Research Chair in Mathematical Modelling, Dr. Roderick Melnik

* Canada Research Chair in Cold Regions Hydrology, Dr. Bill Quinton

* Canada Research Chair in Social Psychology, Dr. Anne Wilson

* Canada Research Chair in Group Dynamics & Physical Activity, Dr. Mark Eys