This award recognizes a young individual (student, postdoctoral fellow, researcher, entrepreneur, etc.) under the age of 35 who proposes an innovative and compelling evidence-based policy that will make a positive difference to Canadians. This award is designed not only to highlight innovative, evidence-driven policy ideas by policy students and young professionals, but also to encourage young people not currently studying, or working on, public policy to share their policy ideas.
Eligible recipients include all young Canadian residents under 35, regardless of their field of study or work.
2024 Youth Award Winner
Abby Christopher
Master Student, Marine Management
Dalhousie University
Topic: Harbouring Life: Managing Port Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems
Abby Christopher is dedicated to environmental sustainability through her research and innovative policy proposal. Her proposal, “Harbouring Life: Managing Port Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems,” aims to address the lack of consistent ecosystem monitoring in Canadian ports.
The proposal’s novelty lies in its comprehensive approach, emphasizing standardized guidelines, transparency, and collaboration with Indigenous communities to ensure sustainable port management practices. Abby’s proactive approach seeks to protect marine ecosystems while fostering accountability and long-term development.
Featured Applicants:
2021 – Winner: Shaarika Sarasija
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
Topic: Step up: Finding respite care for persons living with dementia among students of Canadian health professions
Runners up:
- Taylor Reidlinger – A Call to Modernize Canadian Fisheries Policy: for Better Community Well-being, Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Economic Prosperity
- Hannah Rahim – The need for community-driven phenomenological research to address the suicide crisis among Indigenous peoples in Canada
Runners up:
- Taylor Reidlinger – A Call to Modernize Canadian Fisheries Policy: for Better Community Well-being, Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Economic Prosperity
- Hannah Rahim – The need for community-driven phenomenological research to address the suicide crisis among Indigenous peoples in Canada
2020 – Winner: Hannah Harrison
Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of Guelph
Topic: Improving seafood direct-marketing for Canadian economic resilience and food security
Impact of the Youth Excellence Award
The Youth Excellence Award positively impacts the lives of all winners and runners up. Watch past winners discuss the impact this award or read their comments.
