The Tri-University Graduate Program in History combines the faculty and resources of three of Canada’s premier universities, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. With over seventy graduate faculty in the program, we are one of the largest History graduate programs in the country and able to provide courses and supervise research across the widest possible range of areas. At the same time, through small seminars, close student-professor relationships, and teaching assistantships and scholarships held at one of our three participating campuses, we provide the atmosphere and collegiality of a smaller, more intimate program.
News
Dr. Schreiber explores charity and relief in 16th Century England and Scotland
Grant Schreiber successfully defended his thesis entitled, “‘For ye haue the poore alwaies with you’: Experiments in Charity in post-Reformation Oxford and Aberdeen, 1560-1640,” on Monday, January 5, 2026 at the University of Guelph.
Congratulations, Dr. Schreiber!
Dr. Baer-Tsarfati examines ambition in early modern Scotland
Lisa Baer-Tsarfati successfully defended her thesis entitled, "Condemnation and Control: Ambition in Scotland, 1550–1625," on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Her dissertation examines ambition as an historically contingent moral and political concept not a transhistorical psychological trait.
Congratulations Dr. Baer-Tsarfati!
Award-winning MA student from Laurier studied northern Canada realities
Elizabeth Spence graduated in September 2025 with an MA in History from Wilfrid Laurier University. She received a gold medal for academic excellence as one of the top Master's students in a research-intensive or professional master's program. To meet the reward requirements, Elizabeth surpassed the minimum GPA with an 11.75 (A+), a minimum of A- in any course, and her examination committee commended her research paper as outstanding.
Elizabeth's Major Research Paper examined the development of the Pine Point lead-zinc mine in the Northwest Territories as a case study in postwar northern expansion, infrastructure development, and Cold War–era Canadian nationalism.
Learn more about her research and her experience in the Tri-U History program.
Events
From Patriotism to Belonging
Join Dr. Jade Ferguson, as he examines how Black soldiers and their families in early twentieth-century Canada pursued citizenship and equality through military service during the World Wars, only to confront systemic discrimination that persisted despite their sacrifice.
- In person at Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada, 232 King St. N., Waterloo
- On Zoom - Register for the Zoom livestream
Goats in America: From the Poor Man's Cow to Urban Icon
Join Dr. Tami Parr, author and historian, who will give a talk entitled, "Goats in America: From the Poor Man's Cow to Urban Icon."
Parr explores the unexamined yet compelling role of goats in American history.
The event will be held on Zoom. Register for the link on Eventbrite.
If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Beausaert or Ben Bradley.
From Sherbrooke with Love: Illicit Correspondence, Civilian Internment, and Canada in the Second World War
Waterloo PhD candidate Gillian Wagenaar examines a case of illicit correspondence between a Canadian teenager and a group of civilian internees in Quebec in the early years of the Second World War.
The lecture premieres in-person at the Civic Museum. The recorded conversation will be available on YouTube, and the Museum Everywhere Portal.
The Military Lecture series is a partnership between the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada and Guelph Museums.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation starts at 7 p.m., followed by a question period.