Public Scholars
Each year, Concordia selects ten PhD students to represent the university's interdisciplinary diversity and excellence in research. These scholars engage with our wider community to share the significance of their work and its impact on society.
Discover Concordia's Public Scholars Program
Research with impact
Program objectives
The program empowers PhD students to articulate and actively share the significance of emerging research beyond academia by coaching them to effectively navigate professional networks and communicate through various public channels.
Public engagement
Prepare PhD students to play an influential role through advanced communications and public relations training and deliverables
Measuring impact
Raise awareness of the importance of research in the modern knowledge economy by tracking Scholar’s public engagement
Professional development
Prepare Scholars for a wide range of career opportunities through greater self-awareness of their skills and research impact
Internal partners
Media inquiries
To request an interview with one of Concordia's Public Scholars, please get in touch with the media relations team.
Program history
The Public Scholars program was launched in 2016, in partnership with the Montreal Gazette, to showcase the outstanding research being conducted by Concordia’s doctoral students. In 2022, the program was expanded to include partnerships with Le Devoir and The Conversation. The program was also revamped to provide more doctoral students with the unique professional development training Public Scholars receive. These changes help enhance the program’s impact through individualized coaching, modernized communication channels and new partnerships.