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Canada's scholars descend on Fredericton for the annual "intellectual Olympics" The 2011 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences opens today in Fredericton, New Brunswick, bringing more than 6000 researchers to the city for Canada's largest and most significant interdisciplinary academic gathering. Organized by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences and co-hosted by the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, Congress is the largest event ever held in Fredericton and an important testament to the vitality of Canada's scholarly community. "The welcome we have received from New Brunswickers has been truly reflective of a community committed to knowledge, research and Canada's intellectual heritage," said Graham Carr, president of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Congress 2011 is a working meeting for Canada's academics, scholars and researchers - providing opportunities to share knowledge, solidify partnerships and create linkages between the university and other sectors. Over the course of eight days of meetings, panel presentations and keynote speeches, thousands will present their latest works and research at more than 2500 events. "Having this level of scholarly talent in Fredericton is truly a great opportunity to enrich existing research, present new data, share ideas and discuss and debate topics that affect us all," said Linda Kealey, Congress 2011 Academic Convenor. "We are honoured to be hosting this event in Fredericton and thankful that the federal government, province and community have stepped up to make Congress a success." The Big Thinking lectures at Congress provide an opportunity for some of the world's most engaging public intellectuals to address the scholarly community and the public, who are invited to attend free of charge. This year's series features The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, authors David Adams Richards and Antonine Maillet, National Chief Shawn Atleo, and one of Canada's leading climatologists, Andrew Weaver. Get more from the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Congress is your source for the latest research in the social sciences and humanities. The media relations team at Congress can connect you with experts in social trends, education, food studies, relationships, politics, ethics and history. If you have stories that need expert sources or are interested in getting an advance look at the research happening at Congress, contact us directly in the Congress media room. http://congress2011.ca For further information: Ryan Saxby Hill, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 613-894-7635, rsaxbyhill@fedcan.ca or Jennifer Gavin, Congress Communications, 506-238-0969, jgavin@unb.ca