CSPC 2017

Panel Organizer: FCIHR Forum of 2017 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research Program | Organizer: Friends of CIHR

Keynote Address: 

“Canada’s Lead in AI Research:  Lessons for Discovery and Innovation"

Dr. Alan Bernstein, O.C., PhD, FRSC
President, CIFAR, and 2017 Friesen Prizewinner

Honorary Chair:

The Honourable Dr. Reza Moridi, PhD
Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, Government of Ontario

Co-Chairs: Mr. Andre Picard and Dr. Eric Meslin.
Welcome remarks: Dr. Aubie Angel 

Panelists:

Dr. Brenda Andrews
Dr. Doina Precup
Dr. Rémi Quirion
Dr. Linda Rabeneck
Dr. Peter Zandstra

Discussants:

Dr. Henry G. Friesen
Dr. Roderick R. McInnes
Dr. Duncan Stewart
Dr. Vivek Goel

PRESENTERS:
Jeff Kinder and Paul Dufour, co-editors
Janet Halliwell and Michael Jenkin, contributing authors

In a "post-truth” world, the need has never been greater for decision makers thirsty for the insights of science, technology and innovation policy to help chart and navigate our common future. As Canada rethinks its science advisory system, there is value in learning from past experiments. This session will engage participants in the history of the Science Council of Canada, an important institution at the intersection of science and governance that operated for a quarter-century between 1966 and 1992. Join co-editors Jeff Kinder and Paul Dufour who will provide an overview of the project and discuss the forthcoming book. They will be joined by contributing authors Janet Halliwell and Michael Jenkin to offer their reflections on the SCC's enduring relevance to the science and innovation policy debate in Canada. 

This panel presents an opportunity for those engaged in the Supercluster process – to informally discuss:

• The key ingredients of an effective “Supercluster”
• The benefits they see emerging from the initiative, and
• How Superclusters may facilitate more federal and academic R&D being linked to private sector innovation

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mona Nemer will join the 9th Canadian Science Policy Centre. Dr. Mona Nemer will deliver a speech, engage in an interview with ourPresident & CEO Mehrdad Hariri, and will answer audience questions.

Biography:

Before becoming Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer was Professor andVice-President, Research, at the University of Ottawa and Director of the MolecularGenetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory. 

Her research focused on the heart, particularly on the mechanisms of heart failure and congenital heart diseases. She is the author of over 200 highly cited publications that have appeared in prestigious scientific journals. Her work has contributed to the development of diagnostic tests for heart failure and the genetics of cardiac birth defects. She has trained over 100 students from various countries.

Dr. Nemer has served on several national and international advisory committees and executive boards and is the recipient of many national and international honours. Sheis a Member of the Order of Canada, a fellow of the Academy of Sciences of the RoyalSociety of Canada, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec and a Knight of the French Republic’s order national duMérite. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates from France and Finland.

Dr. Nemer holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa, she was a Professor of Pharmacology at the Université deMontréal and directed the Cardiac Genetics Unit at the Montreal Clinical ResearchInstitute.

Join Mr. Iain Stewart, President of the National Research Council for a discussion regarding university - intramural research collaborations: collaborative successes and challenges, and future directions for the National Research Council in this regard.

Addressing Major Global Challenges through Science and Public Policy: Transdisciplinary and Multidimensional Approaches 
Relever les principaux défis mondiaux par l’entremise de la science et de la politique publique: Approches transdisciplinaires et multidimensionnelles 
Panel Organizers: Gordon McBean and Anne Ballantyne | International Council for Science and Centre for the Study of Science and Innovation Policy (CSIP), JSGS, and University of Saskatchewan

The UN 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals reflect a wide range of large-scale or so-called “wicked” problems linked to the management and sustainability of our environment, natural resources, health and economic systems. Dealing with such challenges requires new approaches for decision-makers in pursuit of effective evidence-based policy solutions. These are problems for which there are many legitimate viewpoints and a variety of economic, social, political, cultural, and moral dimensions. Often there is uncertainty regarding the sources of the problem, as well as the most effective goals, methods and partnerships for its resolution. These challenges require the convergence and integration of disciplinary excellence across the full spectrum of sciences – natural, socio-economic, humanities, engineering and health - to inform comprehensive and effective transdisciplinary solutions. Beyond this however, the role and effectiveness of science and innovation in large-scale change are often questioned.  Canada must strengthen its science-policy dialogue.  While research illuminates causal relationships and engenders solutions to complex problems, the academy alone is limited in its ability to impact public, policy and industry opinions and perspectives.
Enhancing the science-policy interface is critical for addressing wicked and unwieldly problems. Transdisciplinary research must be integrated within a broader range of multi-sectoral, multi-dimensional and multi-level governance.  Strategies must incorporate the perspectives, expertise and authority of numerous players and organizations, including from all levels of government, industry, communities, and academic and research institutions.  But how do we ensure an effective science-policy interface amidst federal, provincial & territorial interactions that necessitate alignment of regional interests?  Given decision-making occurs across complex and contested spheres, what are the optimal ways to enhance cooperation across diverse governance forms?  How do we integrate research within government and private sector strategies while respecting their unique priorities and mandates?   
This session will focus on research and partnership-building at the science-policy interface.  Brief presentations by experts and practitioners from government, academia and industry will include case studies involving transdisciplinary and multidimensional collaboration to highlight lessons learned for sectors like health, the environment and the biosciences. A facilitated exchange among panelists and the audience will target constructive policy solutions for complex multi-sectoral challenges, focusing on supporting policy development through knowledge that integrates both science and political considerations with all their interdependencies and tensions.

This session will take stock of where we are six months following publication of the major report of the Advisory Panel on Federal Support for Fundamental Science. Four members of the Panel will speak to and engage in discussion on, why the recommendations were framed as they were and what they see as significant issues and next steps.