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: NRC
Moderator: Iain Stewart
Speakers: Ken Doyle, Lakshmi Krishnan, Dan Breznitz, Andrea Johnston, Dennis Darby
The adoption and adaptation of leading-edge technologies by Canadian firms results in greater productivity and innovation in our country. Governments support research and development and innovation to spark new inventions, train talent and develop intellectual property in order to improve productivity and competitiveness. However, Governments also support a range of institutions to encourage technology adoption to improve process innovation and productivity. These institutions provide access to technical experts and facilities through ongoing interactions with companies on issues ranging from product design and development, onboarding of the latest production software or machinery, acquiring new skills and methods of production, and refinement and innovation in production processes. This panel will talk about the importance of technology adoption for innovation and productivity, profile some examples of strategies underway to make firms aware of new technology and how to use it in their businesses.
Organized by: NRC-IRAP
Moderator: Jeanette Jackson
Speakers: Stefan Walter, David Lisk, Devesh Bharadwa
Moving to a net zero economy is a priority for Canada and federal support has been a key component in helping SMEs overcome the challenges they face to contribute innovative sustainable solutions to this end. The National Research Council of Canada, Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) has long been an integral part of Canada’s clean tech innovation ecosystem. This panel will provide an overview of NRC IRAP and hear from SMEs who have leveraged IRAP to bolster their R&D and grow their business, resulting in clean tech solutions for industry.
Organized by: Natural Resources Canada
Moderator: Dr. Brenda Dogbey
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Shohini Ghose, Dr. Aimee Gunther, Prof. Dr. Barry Sanders, Mr. Rafal Janik, Mr. Bruno Couillard
With the advent of, and improvements in quantum science, many countries are actively nurturing the growth of quantum technologies through national strategies and initiatives. The Government of Canada announced the development of a National Quantum Strategy in Budget 2021 to amplify Canada’s significant strength in quantum research, guide the development of the country’s quantum ecosystem and position Canada as a global leader in quantum technology space. Government agencies, companies, and academic institutes are pursuing use cases on how to apply quantum technologies to real world issues. Quantum technologies will lead to critical innovations in many fields, including the natural resources sector and hold the potential to significantly support Canada’s goals in climate actions and net-zero emissions. The natural resource sectors are potential end-users of quantum technologies such as quantum sensors, quantum materials, quantum computation and communication. There are emerging examples of how quantum technologies can be deployed in the natural resource sectors and support developments in clean technology and energy, sensing and imaging instruments. This panel will explore the potential for quantum technologies to support Canada’s climate actions, net zero targets and energy transitions.
Organized by: CMC Microsystems
Moderator: Dr. Madison Rilling
Speakers: Ester Gerassime, Dr. Robert Crawhall, Dr. M. Johnny Rungtusanatham, Mr. Claude Goodman
A March 2022 survey by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters reported nine out of ten companies in the sector are experiencing supply chain issues. The impact includes job losses, inability to fulfill export sales, and supply chain fragility threatening Canada’s long-term growth. Have businesses in Canada become over-dependent on global supply chains? What foresight can be provided by academics in policy studies? Is there a policy-driven role for government to intervene? This panel will bring together executives from the manufacturing sector, policymakers, and academics to answer these questions and recommend solutions.
Organized by: Genome Canada
Moderator: Bi-ru Amy Yeung
Speakers: Jeff Passmore, Meaghan Seagrave, Mahima Sharma
Canada’s net-zero carbon transition hinges on the development of the circular bioeconomy, where biotechnology drives systems-level integration of all sectors towards a renewable, sustainable, and equitable future. Uptake of innovations is challenged by the perceived trade-offs between circularity and stakeholders’ bottom line. Coordination of research, innovation, commercialization, regulation, and policy is needed to overcome the economic headwinds impeding implementation and amplify the social and environmental tailwinds that promote it. This panel brings together academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss circular systems policy in Canada and uncover opportunities and solutions to drive the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
Organized by: Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN)
Speakers: Joy Romero, Drew Leyburne, Catherine Berube, Andrea Crook, Dr. Monica Gattinger
Canada is leading the world in the creation of cleantech solutions. The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) is at the forefront of accelerating these made-in-Canada innovations to ensure they are rapidly developed, commercialized and adopted at home and globally.
In this panel moderated by Dr. Monica Gattinger, CRIN Director and Director of the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa, we will demonstrate CRIN’s impact on Canada’s net zero goals. We will also highlight CRIN’s achievements and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for cleantech innovation in the oil and gas sector.