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
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. In addition to an overall GPA of 10.5 (A), and a minimum of A- in any course, the examination committee must consider the thesis work or research paper to be 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.
Dr. Jacqueline Murray, University of Guelph Professor Emerita, elected to the Royal Society of Canada
Dr. Jacqueline Murray, University Professor Emerita in the Department of History, at the University of Guelph was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in September, 2026.
Dr. Murray's "groundbreaking research in premodern sex, sexualities, genders and bodies has introduced innovative approaches to the study of medieval women and men and established the new research field of premodern men and masculinities," reads the citation.
2025-26 TUGSA co-presidents announced
Recently, Tri-U students held their annual election. Aidan Hughes, PhD candidate at Guelph, Brian Gibbs, PhD student at Laurier, and Vera Zoricic, PhD candidate at Waterloo became the 2025-26 co-presidents. They organize events and encourage community-building among Tri-U students. Check out their bios.
Events
Wounded, Maimed and Sick: A forgotten history of the Great War
Wilfrid Laurier PhD graduate, Eric Story, and adjunct professor there, follows the journey of thousands of men and women who paid an entirely different price than did the dead in service to Canada after the Great War: the 180,000 military service members who suffered some form of wounding, injury or illness on the battlefields of the Western Front.
The lecture premieres in-person at the Civic Museum. The recorded conversation will be available on YouTube, and our 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.
Call for Papers: 36th Canadian Military History Colloquium
The 36th Canadian Military History Colloquium by Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada will be held in-person at Wilfrid Laurier University on 8-9 May 2026.
Submissions on all periods and aspects of Canadian military history and war and society are invited. Proposals are welcome from all scholars, including students, faculty and independent researchers.
To apply, send a ~300-word abstract and short bio to cmhc@studyofcanada.ca.
Local Meets Global: Studies Through Space and Time
This year’s theme centres on the diversity of methods used to explore the past and the consideration of time and space as part of historical inquiry. How does our work as scholars engage in questions of scope and scale?
Saturday, March 21, 2026, Balsillie School of International Affairs
Registration is now open! Sign up before February 27 to receive complimentary meal tickets for a catered lunch. General registration for conference attendees will remain open until March 21.
Questions? Please contact our committee at triu.conf@gmail.com