Dr. John Leggat

Biography:
John Leggat is an Associate Consultant with CFN Consultants. Prior to joining CFN in September 2005, he was the Assistant Deputy Minister (Science & Technology) for the Department of National Defence and the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). During his career, he has served in a number of other appointments in Defence R&D, including Director General of DRDC’s Ottawa research centre and Director General for Technology Development.

Dr. Leggat is the President of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences and Past President of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He is a member of Science Advisory Committee of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and a Board Member of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries.

He is an Honorary Member of the Engineering Institute of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Abstract:
The relationship between science and decision making is a science in itself. When decisions are straight forward, they are underpinned by factors that are well defined, a decision frame that is trusted, and outcomes that can be reasonably well predicted. Whether in business or government, few decision making processes present this luxury, and important decisions invariably involve an interleaving of complex issues. In many organizational decisions, science is not a factor. Often it is an afterthought or side issue; rarely is it a mainline item that contributes to an organization’s core agenda. The presentation will address science and organizational decision making from a public sector perspective. It will include thoughts on the science-policy interface and how it can be managed so that timely and relevant science input is integral to complex decision making.