Historians Ron Harpelle of Lakehead University and Bruce Muirhead of the University of Waterloo have been commissioned to undertake the IDRC History Project. They will write a book-length history of IDRC and will produce related materials including a website.

The IDRC History Project will capture vivid personalities and stories that have had an impact on science, technology, and ultimately, the lives of people in the developing world. The project will also reflect and critically assess IDRC’s role as an early practitioner of Southern-led programming, based upon the principles of partnership, capacity building, and the facilitation of a Southern-based agenda. The Centre’s contributions to the creation of ideas, tools, methods, and technologies in developing countries will also be examined and assessed.

Since beginning their research in early 2006, Professors Harpelle and Muirhead have interviewed more than 100 IDRC staff, alumni, partners, Board members, and others. Many more people have contributed to the history of IDRC, and they are scattered around the world. While the IDRC historians will never be able to interview everyone, they would like to hear from as many people as possible. Therefore, they are inviting anyone who has participated in IDRC development activities over the years—including staff, recipients, or awardees—and who has a story to contribute, to send in a short, written contribution.

The historians would like to hear your stories so that they might incorporate them in their work. Please feel free to send a few lines, a few pages or more about your experiences. They especially welcome full accounts of the challenges of development and changes you have seen over the years. Please also include a short biography that briefly describes your background, your connection to IDRC, and the years you were affiliated with the Centre.

Please note that the historians would review the material, select some or all of it, edit it and potentially share it with the public by including your story in the upcoming book on the history of IDRC and/or including your contribution in our Digital Library. Accordingly, please understand that by sending your contribution to the History Project you agree that it may be edited and used and shared with the public in these ways.

Your submissions should be sent to by email or by post to:

The IDRC History Project
c/o Bruce Currie-Alder