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WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

Science Canada

Research policy in party election platforms

Insight & Impact: Council of Canadian Academies Strategic Plan 2011-2014

Who will save higher education?

Canadian universities must boost enrolment to prevent labour shortage: report

Degree still key to success, university bosses told

The debate over university differentiation

Matter of priorities: NRC’s market focus raises questions about funding fate of basic research

Minister defends support for asbestos

North mulls nuclear solution to rising power costs

Beaufort Sea commercial fishing banned

Grizzly bears no longer lords of the land

Our earth's a hot potato

Energy-efficient light bulb deadline delayed

Game-changing Canadian device will let you plug in to save electricity

Multinational mining company surrenders land rights to area which inspired Group of Seven

Election outcome could boost fortunes of oilsands producers

Second case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease confirmed in Canada

Workplace drug plans may face caps - even fold

Teaching science with beats and rhymes

Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project - Comments Invited on the Proposed Environmental Assessment Process

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WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

Why Science Canada?

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