Honorary degree recipient

UNB grants honorary doctorates to deserving individuals who exemplify those values cherished by its academic community.

Dr. Jack Little

Dr. John (Jack) Little will be awarded an honorary doctorate of letters at the 71st Convocation Ceremony on the Fredericton campus on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

One of the most productive and imaginative Canadian historians of his generation, Dr. Little earned a bachelor of arts from Bishop’s University in 1968, followed by a master of arts from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in 1970. He completed his PhD in history at the University of Ottawa in 1977.

Dr. Little’s distinguished career as a scholar and educator spans more than four decades, primarily at Simon Fraser University (SFU) where he is now a Professor Emeritus.

His research interests are diverse, encompassing social, cultural, political and environmental history. His prolific contributions to Canadian history include 13 books, approximately 100 scholarly articles, and many book reviews. Quebec history lies at the heart of his scholarship, but he has also published on the history of the Maritime provinces, Ontario, British Columbia, and Canada as a whole.

Favouring a microhistorical approach, his work is renowned for its blend of archival research, thoughtful analysis and readability. His accolades include being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and awards from the Canadian Historical Association and the Institut d'histoire de l'Amérique française.

Dr. Little’s impact on Canadian history extends beyond his publications. His peers routinely seek his advice on matters relating to history in Canada, and he has delivered dozens of conference papers, as well as serving as a member of national research and publication grants committees and several departmental review committees.

In addition to his scholarly achievements, Dr. Little has been an exemplary mentor and colleague. He has served as chair of his department, supervised numerous graduate students, and been actively involved in community service and heritage preservation. His commitment to public engagement is evident through his community talks and contributions to environmental issues on the west coast.

An honorary doctorate from UNB is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of history.