Canadian Science Policy Centre
1595 16th Avenue, Suite 301
Richmond Hill, ON
L4B 3N9
E-mail:
info@sciencepolicy.ca
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Innovation Policy focuses on putting the outputs of research (knowledge, technology) into use for broad socio-economic benefits. Innovation policies generally support and promote technology transfer, product, process development, validation, commercialization and scale up, national and regional innovation systems with the objective of improving productivity and competitiveness and driving economic growth and job creation. Social innovation is considered as an integral part of innovation policy. CSPC encourages nominations from all disciplines of science (natural sciences and engineering, social and human sciences, and health sciences) and from all sectors (governments at all levels, academia, private and non-profit sectors, media, and others).
The Science for Policy Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished themselves via the application and use of scientific research and knowledge to inform evidence-based decisions for public policy and regulations.
The Policy for Science Award recognizes an individual who has pioneered policies and practices to improve the development of new technologies, capacity building and research infrastructure.
Science Policy is inclusive of both policy for science and science for policy. Policy for Science focuses on management of science enterprises, i.e., the generation of new knowledge, the development of new technology, capacity building, training highly qualified personnel and research infrastructure. In general, the key targets of policy for science are post-secondary institutions, research funding organizations and government science-based departments and agencies. Science for policy is the application and use of scientific research and knowledge to inform evidence-based decisions for public policy and regulations in all policy areas, not limited to but including public-interest policy priorities such as health, environment, national security, education, and criminal justice and others.
Organized by: Genome Canada in collaboration with Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
Moderator: Nehal El-Hadi
Speakers: Sally Greenwood, Jaigris Hodson, Pari Johnston, Pierre Normand
Society has benefited from innovations in systems, processes and technologies that are largely due to scientific advancement. Given the scope and scale of addressing global challenges, it is critical that the public trusts science and the application of science across all disciplines. How do we gain public trust when it comes to addressing global challenges? How do we foster greater public engagement in research, notably with diverse and inclusive communities, and better integrate multidisciplinary science into policymaking to improve the way we communicate and teach science. What are innovative ways to strengthen the trust between science and society?
Organized by: Toronto Metropolitan University
Moderator: Steven N. Liss
Speakers: Elicia Maine, Mr. Simon Kennedy, Stephen J. Toope, Sophie D’Amours
Organized by: FRQ
Speakers: François William Croteau, Rachel Deslauriers, Nicolas Biron, Christian Schryburt
Canadian municipalities now act as effective governments. In addition to managing infrastructure, they are involved in stimulating the economy, addressing climate change, and more. In many cases, these local governments have few resources. In order to build a strategic vision for their territory, they need to collect and analyze data and access expertise that they cannot acquire alone. In this context, inter-municipal cooperation is a promising solution, especially when dealing with climate issues that are relevant to a watershed or an entire region. Equipped with better data and analysis, could city networks have a stronger voice in major international negotiations?
Organized by: Marianne Mader, CEO, Canadian Association of Science Centres; Justin Mathews, Senior Communications Analyst, Digital Communications, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada; ISED, Government of Canada
Moderator: Dr. Senator Stan Kutcher
Speakers: Carly Weeks, Timothy Caulfield, Cary Funk, Rodney Ghali
Effective science communication tackling misinformation is essential to a thriving democracy. Misinformation and disinformation destroy trust and can be linked to the global growth in distrust across all institutions. The reality is that anti-science and anti-government perspectives are well established in our society, are not going to go away, and represent an imminent and existential threat to personal and public health, and democracy. This panel will explore how both trust in science and science misinformation impact democracy.
Organized by: The Collaborative
Moderator: Dr Sandra Lapointe
Speakers: Tricia Williams, Coryell Boffy, Andrea Nemtin, Abid Jan
On 12-13 October 2022, the Canadian Forum on Innovation and Societal Impact convened social research and innovation stakeholders across sectors. The purpose was to explore the conditions for alignment on policies and practices that leverage impact-first training and knowledge mobilisation in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) to foster innovation and build capacity in the social and municipal sectors.
The panel will comment on the plan of action emerging from the first iteration of Canadian Forum on Innovation and Societal Impact, highlighting areas of agreement, key actions and implementation considerations identified by the 125 participants through deliberative dialogues on 40+ question around the following themes:
Organized by: Toronto Metropolitan University
Speakers: Wendy Cukier, Jennefer Griffith, Mark Patterson, Namir Anani, Tony Bonen
In today’s world, there is a wide and growing range of labour market information (LMI) available, offering valuable data on job opportunities, in-demand skills, inclusion in the workforce, and activities related to employment, education, and training services. Data insights are not always used to their full potential, or accessible to SMEs or job-seekers. Could more accessible insights on both the supply and demand side of the Canadian labour market help generate solutions for hard hit sectors in Canada’s economy, and support our transition to an equitable, sustainable future?
Organized by: Natural Resources Canada
Moderator: Dr. Ranjana Sharma
Speakers: Saadia Muzaffar, Angelin Soosaipillai, Dr. Harpreet Kocchar, Dr. Maydianne Andrade
Science and technology play a major role in positively impacting the advancement of societies. It is important to recognize that systemic racism and inequities exists in multiple aspects of different scientific disciplines and that racially-based science affects overall research excellence and competitiveness. Science and technology should strive to be inclusive and anti-racist, going beyond representation and considering diverse lines of inquiry, perspectives, methodologies, interpretation, application and knowledge mobilization. This panel identifies opportunities, challenges and best practices for equity and anti-racism in science and technology within federal departments, post-secondary institutions, industry and non-for-profit organizations.
Organized by: Visions of Science Network for Learning
Moderator: Dr. Eugenia Duodu
Speakers: Dr. Krishana Sankar, Dr. Lisa Richardson, Dr. Kevin Hewitt, Dr. André McDonald, Ms. Dina Al-khooly
In our current crises of vaccine hesitancy, the digital divide, health inequities, misinformation, and climate change denial, we have seen the dire consequences of approaching STEM separately from society, equity, and community. This session brings together community-focused science experts who have played pivotal roles working with marginalized communities in the context of the pandemic and digital shift. Panelists will share their insights and calls to action to break down the elitism in science, embed humility and curiosity about diverse expertise and lived experiences, and foster inclusion, integrity, and accountability to communities to restore trust in science institutions.