Dr. David Rose

Biography:
David Rose has been Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology at University of Waterloo since January, 2009. Previously, he was a Senior Scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute and a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at University of Toronto for 18 years. He also worked for 7 years in the National Research Council laboratories in Ottawa.

Abstract:
Traditionally, the North American educational systems, from primary right through post-secondary, have placed less emphasis on science than those of many other countries in Europe and Asia. As a result, the general public (the electorate) often has less appreciation for the contributions of basic science to the economic and social problems of society. The establishment and acceptance of a national science policy requires not just the support of the general public, but the active promotion of such a policy by the electorate. This level of public engagement, and the associated pressure on Governments to formulate policies promoting basic research, requires a re-emphasis in educational curricula of science: not just the facts but the broad relevance to society’s issues.