The call for the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) Volunteers in 2020 is now closed. Please check back in January 2021.
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CSPC is a grassroots organization that relies on the contribution of volunteers for its development. Get involved today.

Why volunteer for CSPC?

Since its inception in 2009, the CSPC as a grass root organization, has been relying on the contribution of volunteers for its development. Cumulatively, more than 1000 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career professionals from various disciplines across Canada have served on CSPC committees and contributed to the organization of its conference each year. The Centre has been a gateway for volunteers to learn about science policy issues and organizations, and volunteers often go on to successfully pursue careers in science policy. CSPC is a unique environment where you will gain valuable experience while helping to build and impact the science policy community.

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Being a CSPC volunteer offers exciting opportunities to:

  • Gain valuable experience and expertise to meaningfully impact the Canadian science policy landscape
  • Help shape the future of Canadian science policy by organizing a national conference
  • Network and generate discussions with other professionals in the science, technology, and innovation policy field in an inclusive environment
  • Get an inside look at CSPC, a national hub for science policy in Canada
  • Through CSPC, expand your leadership skills and take initiative in advancing new projects and exploring new frontiers in science policy
  • Link your science with societal issues

What is involved in volunteering for CSPC?

Volunteers will contribute 3-5 hours per week, with the majority of communications taking place via email and conference calls. Therefore, you can be anywhere in Canada. If you have an interest in Canadian science, technology, and innovation policy, we could use your help in one of our volunteer committees.

What are the CSPC volunteer committees?

The committee is responsible for operating CSPC’s social media accounts: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook and generating social media postings regarding relevant content in science and innovation policy fields. Additionally, the committee is responsible for the expansion of CSPC’s network of stakeholders and partners in various sectors (i.e., industry, professional, academic, local organizations, etc.).

The committee is  responsible for coordinating opinion sections and soliciting editorial and thought pieces from experts for the Editorial page, and maintaining, editing, posting, and updating the content on the CSPC website. In 2019, the editorial committee launched the inaugural issue of The Canadian Science Policy Magazine, which continues as an annual print and online magazine.

The committee collaborates to effectively write and edit grants to attain funding for CSPC projects. Additionally, the committee helps to identify grant funding opportunities for CSPC 2019 and other developing projects at the Centre.

The committee members are responsible for the Youth Award project. Every year CSPC recognizes an early career individual who submitted the best science policy proposal, along with runner-ups and honorable mentions. The committee will be responsible for the call for and collection of proposals, coordination of the referee meetings, and finally dissemination of the outcome of the competition. Additionally, in 2019 the committee created the new Exceptional Contribution to  Science Policy Award, for which they select outstanding member(s) of the Canadian science policy community yearly.

In partnership with the Chief Science Advisor, CSPC initiated a new program titled “Science Meets Parliament” in 2018. Science Meets Parliament brings scientists working in Canada to Parliament Hill in order to meet with Members of Parliament and Senators, attend House and Senate committee meetings, discuss scientific research, and gain familiarity with the political process.

As a committee member, you will have the opportunity to review and evaluate scientists’ applications, arrange meeting schedules, as well as liaise with scientists, Members of Parliament, and Senators.

The committee coordinates the content of the conference by coordinating the call for panel proposals for the CSPC annual conference, liaising with panel organizers and coordinating the organization of the panels, and the delivery of these sessions at the conference to meet conference objectives.

The committee will assist with designing, distributing, and analyzing a survey of the CSPC attendees to assess the conference according to its goals and objectives. This committee will produce a report based on the survey results with a summary and recommendations for future conferences.

*Note: Both Science Meets Parliament and program development committees require relevant knowledge and experience in the science and innovation policy sector and allow for a limited number of volunteers from each sector (academia, government, the private sector, and non-profit sector).