Towards a (New) Science Culture Framework in Canada

Tracy Ross is the Vice President, Network Membership at Actua, leading the network member services team, which provides services and support for Actua’s network members, including program leadership, partnership, training, funding, recognition, communication, and day-to-day support. She has a BSc. in Environmental Chemistry (Queen’s University) and an MA in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (University of Toronto) and is working towards her Canadian Association Executive designation.

Dr. Marianne Mader is the CEO of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, a member-based organization representing over 90 organizations that collectively engage more than 10 million citizens each year in STEM topics. This network of trusted organizations represents a critical component of Canada’s science, technology, and innovation landscape. CASC builds connections between Canada’s science ecosystem and society, provides enriching professional development opportunities for STEM educators and STEM engagement professionals, and develops and manages public national campaigns focused on STEM literacy, digital literacy, and health literacy, such as Together Against Misinformation Week, National Kids & Vaccines Day, and Science Literacy Week.

Dr. Mader is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society College, an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership, a recipient of a US Antarctic Service Medal, and an awardee of a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work in fostering science culture in Canada.

Desirée Sylvestre is the Director of Education at Visions of Science, where she leads national and local initiatives focused on advancing STEM equity across schools, community organizations, and the broader science ecosystem. Her work centres on supporting educators, institutions, and partners to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to STEM learning and toward more inclusive, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented practices.

Desirée is also a PhD candidate at OISE, University of Toronto, where her research explores how Black preservice teachers think about and practice justice in their science teaching, including how relationships and systems shape their work in classrooms.

Dr. Daniel Munro is Director of Research & Innovation at Actua, Canada’s leading youth STEM outreach organization. He is also Co-Director of Shift Insights, a research shop that examines the social, technological and economic challenges and opportunities facing Canada, and Senior Fellow in the Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. He has taught political science, philosophy and innovation studies at the University of Toronto, Western University, the University of Ottawa, and Queen’s University, was co-host of the Ethics Lab radio show on NewsTalk1310, and Maclean’s Magazine’s Ethics Lab columnist. Dan’s research interests span science and innovation policy, skills and education, and applied ethics, including space ethics. He holds degrees from the University of Toronto (BA), Western University (MA) and M.I.T. (PhD).

Suzi Loney is the Research Director at the CCA. She oversees the CCA’s research practices, developing policies, processes, and staff skills to ensure research excellence across the organization. Suzi also leads and supports the development of new assessment projects, working with interested groups outside of the CCA to understand their needs and design corresponding expert engagement processes. Suzi continues to support expert panels with project management, research, and writing.

Prior to joining CCA in 2012, Suzi held several policy-related positions within the Government of Canada at the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Environment Canada. Suzi has a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from McGill University and a Master of Arts, Economics from the University of Ottawa, where she focussed her studies on environmental economics. During her time at CCA, Suzi has contributed as a researcher and writer to many assessments including incentivizing antimicrobial availability, disaster resilience in a changing climate, and the state of Canada’s science culture.