CSPC 2024 Panel Proposal Criteria

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

a) Panel proposals (CSPC 2024 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 2024 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) 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 2024 Overarching Theme, Tracks, and Topics here.

3. CSPC 2024 will be an in-person Conference taking place November 20-22, 2024, at Westin Hotel Ottawa, Ontario. Panelists must be present on-site (in exceptional cases, we will try to accommodate virtual attendance for selected speakers).

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

5. Panel Diversity: CSPC is a pan-Canadian forum and a mosaic that is built upon a balanced representation of diversity, considering region, sector, ethnicity, gender, age, and topic, in addition to creating opportunities for under-represented groups 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 (30%)
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 (both between the speakers and with the audience) (20%)

1. Quality of the proposed session: proposal description and justification (30%)
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, importance, and/or impact on society
• Alignment with the Conference’s 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, futuristic analysis, and forward actions rather than a simple reiteration of the status quo. Sessions will be ranked higher where they can generate a sustained impact on the panel, such as through follow-ups, calls to action, policy change, etc.

3. Representation of a diverse range of panelist perspectives (20%)
CSPC is a multi-sectoral, transdisciplinary forum on science, technology, innovation, and knowledge production (STIK) policy issues. We are committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility (EDIA). Therefore, panelist diversity is a crucial criterion for ranking panels. The incorporation of Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and worldviews in STIK, empowerment of women in STIK, and the inclusion of under-represented and equity-deserving groups are core values of CSPC.

A well-rounded and diverse range of perspectives on each topic will appeal to a larger audience among attendees at CSPC. Panelist diversity will be evaluated based on, but not limited to: Indigenous identity or ancestry, gender identity, sector, discipline, geography, ethnicity, and age. Panels must be gender-diverse. In addition, CSPC highly recommends the inclusion of perspectives from both experienced and younger generations. A greater diversity of panelists based on the criteria below will result in a higher ranking.

Therefore, panels should fulfill the following criteria:

• Gender-diverse, including speakers from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups
• Panelists from at least two of the following sectors: Government, Academia, Private/ Business, Non-Profit, and Media.*
  *Exceptions: In certain cases, pending 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; a greater diversity in geographical representation, including international panelists, will result in a higher ranking. We are committed to diverse regional representation and highly encourage the recruitment of speakers from provinces and territories including and outside of Ontario and Quebec.
• Panelists must bring a diversity of perspectives.
• 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 very important. The quality of the moderator will be evaluated based on their experience. We highly recommend that you explain 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 (20%)
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 analyses and contesting perspectives. The Conference will retain a variety of content including some that are 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 2024 fosters diversity, accessibility, and creativity and facilitates maximum interactivity with the audience. Therefore, CSPC has adjusted some of its previous panel format criteria and we ask for your attention to the following:

The following panel formats are weighted higher to encourage maximum interactivity:

1. An Interactive Format (e.g.: Fishbowl, Lightning Round, World Cafe, Pecha Kucha): If your panel will be presented with an innovative interactive format, please select this option.

2. Diversity of Perspectives: If your session will be a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward by more than one individual, please select this option. Ideally, indicate what the opposing opinions are on the issue.

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

4. Workshop (learning session): If your session will be designed to extensively engage the audience in group learning, education, and/or planning activities, please select this option.

The following panel formats continue to be eligible for inclusion in the Conference. Please highlight plans for discussion and interactivity in your proposal.

5. Standard Panel Discussion Format: If your session is arranged with a few expert panelists presenting findings and discussing a topic, and there is a minimum of 30 min for a Q&A session at the end, please select this option.

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

7. 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, please 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 2024 (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