CSPC 2023 Panel Proposal Criteria

1.Submission type: There are two types of submissions;

a) Panel proposals (CSPC 2023 Overarching Theme, Tracks, and Topics)

80 minute panels (50 minute presentation, 30 minutes for Q&A session) where a diverse, multisectoral group discusses topics in science policy (see CSPC 2023 Overarching Theme, Tracks, and Topics)

b) Short talk proposals. (maximum 12 submissions will be accepted)

10 minute presentations (8 minute presentation, 2 minutes for Q&A session) that are intended to provide a brief overview of a topic in science policy.

Please read the criteria for each stream carefully before finalizing your submission.

2. Please review the CSPC 2023 Overarching Theme, Tracks, and Topics here.

3. CSPC 2023 will be an in-Person Conference: To participate in the in-person conference between Nov-13-15, 2023, at Westin Hotel Ottawa, Ontario, panelists must be present on-site. (In exceptional cases, we will try to accommodate virtual attendance for select speakers).

4. There is NO fee associated with proposal submission. However, CSPC is not responsible for speakers’ travel and accommodation costs. Speakers are entitled to register at a discounted rate.

5. Panel Diversity: CSPC is a national forum and mosaic that is built upon a balanced representation of diversity including region, sector, ethnicity, gender, age, and topic, in addition to seeking to provide under-represented groups an opportunity to present their ideas. These criteria will be heavily considered in the final selection of panels.

6. The Program Committee, alongside external reviewers from the community, will make selections based on the following criteria.

Panel Proposals (full description of criteria is below)

1. Quality of the proposed session: proposal description and justification (35%)
2. An action and/or solution-oriented focus, as opposed to a statement of the status quo of an issue (15%)
3. A diverse range of panelists (20%)
4. Quality of the speakers and moderator (15%)
5. Creativity in choice of panel format and its interactivity (15%)

1. Quality of the proposed session: proposal description and justification (35%)

The Quality of the session is evaluated on the panel description and justification:

• Deep comprehension of the issue
• Clear and compelling description of the panel and its novelty and importance to, and impact on, society
• The value of the panel to be discussed at CSPC, in terms of follow ups, calls to action, policy change, etc.
• Alignment with the Conference theme and topics

2. Incorporation of an action and/or solution-oriented focus, as opposed to a statement of the status quo of an issue (15%)

CSPC is seeking sessions that focus on solutions, forward actions and a futuristics analysis, rather than just a reiteration of the status quo.

3. Representation of a diverse range of panelists (20%)

The CSPC is a multi-sectoral, transdisciplinary forum on science, technology, and innovation policy  issues. We are committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI). Therefore, panelist diversity is a crucial criterion for ranking panels. The empowerment of  women in the science, technology, and innovation enterprise, and empowerment of under-represented and equity seeking groups is a core value of CSPC.

A well-rounded and diverse range of perspectives on their topic will appeal to a larger audience among the attendees at the CSPC. Panelist diversity will be evaluated based on, but not limited to, gender, sector, discipline, geography, ethnicity, and age. Panels should be gender-diverse. In addition, the CSPC highly recommends the inclusion of both experienced and younger generation perspectives in panels.

Therefore panels must fulfill the following criteria:

• • Gender-diverse mix, including speakers from underrepresented and equity seeking groups
  • Panelists from at least two of the following sectors: Government, Academia, Private/ Business, Non-Profit, and Media.* Inclusion of panelists from the private sector is highly encouraged.
    • *Exceptions: In certain cases, pending on the content of the panel, single-sector representation may be permitted. (Examples: Panel of Government Science Advisors, Critical Analysis of Innovation Policy from Private Sector, Panel of University Vice Presidents of Research).
  • Panelists from at least two different provinces; more diverse geographical representation, including international panelists, will result in higher ranking. We are committed to diverse regional representation and highly encourage recruitment of  speakers from provinces and territories other than Ontario and Quebec.
  • Panelists must have diversity of perspective.
  • Panels must NOT include more than 2 individuals (including both speakers and moderators) from the same organization.

4. Quality of the speakers and moderator (15%)

Panelists will be evaluated based on:

• Knowledge, experience, and relevance to the panel topic
• Ability to garner public attention
• Inclusion of the younger generation and those who are new speakers at the CSPC

The choice of moderator is also very important. The quality of the moderator will be evaluated based on their experience. We highly recommend that you indicate why this moderator has been chosen and, in particular, indicate:

• Their ability to engage all panelists in an interactive discussion and include the audience in the panel discussion
• Their comprehension of and expertise in the topic
• Their familiarity with the panelists
• Their experience in panel moderation and ability to keep panelists on time and on point
• If possible, inclusion of examples from prior speaking engagements will be considered (i.e. Youtube links to talks)

This year’s conference theme and topics can be found here.

5. Creativity in Choice of panel format and its interactivity (15%)

CSPC is seeking to increase the variety of formats, topics, voices, and ideas at the Conference. In this context we encourage innovative and creative formats that provide deep analysis and contesting perspectives. CSPC will retain a variety of content including some that is more introductory, particularly targeted to first-time attendees,  and other sessions that allow for more advanced and in-depth discussions. In all cases,  CSPC aims to balance expert discussions and interactive sessions, and to provide a variety of panel formats at the conference. Proposals will be evaluated against others having the same format.

Panelists’ presentations cannot exceed 50 minutes and 30 minutes must be allocated to Q&A or activities involving the audience.

The objective of introducing a range of panel formats is to ensure that CSPC 2023 presents a diverse range of formats and facilitates maximum interactivity with the audience. The following formats are invited for CSPC 2023 Panel Proposal Submissions:

1. Standard Panel Discussion Format: If your session is arranged with a few expert panelists presenting findings and discussing a topic, and there is a Q&A session at the end, please select this option.

a. If this category is chosen one of these options must be selected

b. General Discussion: This is where panelists provide their insights based on their knowledge and experience and have general discussions on the topic of the panel.

c. Green paper discussion: If your panel discussion is based on a green paper- a consultation by one or collective organizations mainly to provide input on an existing policy or development of a new policy; please select this option.

d. Case study: If your panel involves a detailed description and analysis of a particular case or cases, please select this option.

2. Workshop (learning session): If your session is designed to engage the audience in activities in smaller groups (breakout rooms) and is more geared toward learning opportunities, select this option.

3. Debate: If your session will be a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward by two individuals or two groups of individuals, select this option. Ideally indicate what the opposing opinions are on the issue.

4. Interview format/Q&A session with panelist: If your session is arranged with a moderator asking panelists (maximum two panelists and one moderator) a range of questions to elicit their perspectives on an issue, select this option.

5. An Interactive Format (eg: Fishbowl): If your panel is presented with an innovative interactive format, select this option.

Short Talk Proposals

1. Quality of the proposed talk: proposal description and justification (40%)
2. Importance of the topic (relevance to science policy and broader implications of the topic), and why it should be presented at CSPC 2023 (40%)
3. The novelty of the topic (including significance and impact of the proposed idea or discussion) (20%)
4. Note: Proposals from members of Indigenous groups, visible minorities, and groups outside of Ontario will be given priority

Short talks are intended to provide a brief overview of a topic in science policy. This includes the following formats:

• Scientific presentations
• Policy memos
• Case studies
• Green papers
• Program announcements
• Other creative formats

As these presentations aim to provide a novel insight into a science policy area, or an overview and  discussion of an existing area, presentations should include many of the following discussions:

• Topic overview
• Scientific discussion
• Evaluation of alternatives
• Stakeholder evaluation
• Policy recommendations

Short talks will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to science policy
• The ability to present a coherent argument
• Consideration of the broader implications
• Significance and impact of the proposed idea or discussion