UNB Law

Prof. Young Awarded Support for Defamation Law Research

Thanks to the gracious support of the Harrison McCain Foundation and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), UNB Law Prof. Hilary Young will now have access to increased research support for her continued study of defamation law in Canada.

Hilary was awarded The Harrison McCain Young Scholars Award, which provided up to $25,000  to support new or recently hired faculty who have received their highest degree within the last 10 years. With the funds from her Harrison McCain award, Hilary will continue to pursue research in Canadian defamation law, which is in great need of reform to better reflect Charter values and to address the rise of digital communications technologies. She plans to hire research assistants, a student statistician and travel to conferences.

Hilary was also awarded an Insight Development Grant from SSHRC which she will use to conduct research on the concept of “publication” in defamation law. One part looks at the liability of internet intermediaries for user content. (For example, is Facebook liable for user-generated content? Should it be?) Another examines the rule that all repetitions of defamatory statements are new and separate libels. The goal of SSHRC’s Insight Grant program is to build knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world by supporting research excellence.

“We are very grateful for the generous support of the Harrison McCain Foundation and SSHRC and are proud of Hilary’s achievements and her dedication to research,” says Dean Williamson. “With this additional support, I am confident Hilary will excel in her research while strengthening our faculty and enhancing her reputation as one of Canada’s leading torts scholars.”

Prof. Young joined the faculty in 2012 after teaching at Queen's and the University of Ottawa. She practiced law at Cox & Palmer in Halifax and clerked with Justice Louis LeBel of the Supreme Court of Canada. She teaches Torts, Advanced Torts, Health Law, and a seminar in defamation and privacy law.