Dr. Jeff Kinder

Biography:
Jeff Kinder has twenty years of experience in government science and technology (S&T) policy in the U.S. and Canada. His experience in the U.S. includes work at the National Science Foundation, the National Academies’ Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy, and research in applied ocean acoustics at the Naval Research Laboratory. In Canada, Jeff has worked as Senior Policy Advisor in Science and Innovation at Industry Canada and in support of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA), the external board that advised Cabinet on the management of federal S&T from 1998-2007. He is currently Manager, S&T Strategy, at Natural Resources Canada. Jeff is also a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University where his research and teaching focuses on S&T policy, government laboratories, innovation systems and science advisory mechanisms. He is the co-author with Bruce Doern of Strategic Science in the Public Interest: Canada's Government Laboratories and Science-Based Agencies (University of Toronto Press, 2007) and is preparing a history of the Science Council of Canada.

Abstract:
The pervasiveness of science and technology in all facets of our lives and the greater complexity of policy issues in the knowledge-based society have underscored the importance of sound science advice as a key input to public policy. But who aids policymakers in understanding science and technology matters? Governments seek the advice of experts on how to most effectively foster innovation, advance scientific frontiers, promote sustainable development, protect the environment and ensure the health and safety of Canadians. With an increased focus on the use of scientific advice in policy making, there is a need to better understand the science advisory mechanisms that the Canadian government has employed. This paper examines the key elements of science policy advisory structures in Canada.