Science Canada

Search

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

Why not end the Northern Gateway in Prince Rupert?

Kitimat weighs up the risks of oil and gas

Keystone supporters turn up the heat on Obama

Alberta Premier questions credibility of Northern Gateway hearings

Pipeline politics: Don’t demonize the charitable sector

How to pay Ontario doctors

NASA to study Ontario's falling snow from space

NASA says Canada in 'hot spot' of ecological change

Environment Canada: The Big Clean-Up of 2012?

New Poll Results Released: Canadian Cancer Society calls on BC government to protect youth by restricting indoor tanning for those under 18

Canada's Major Health Charities Urge Federal Government to Engage in Health Accord Negotiations

Minister of State Goodyear Applauds the Appointment of Dr. Tilghman

B.C. coast is hostile country for oil, pipeline panel told

B.C. Finance Minister breaks ranks to bash pipeline critics

Eager to sell Alberta oil, Harper schedules return trip to China

‘Foreign money’ is a hypocritical diversion

Our ecological treasure is the issue with Northern Gateway

Radicals, foreign money and Northern Gateway

Pharma giants slash jobs in Quebec

Sodium reduction: A proud moment that went nowhere

Contribute to Science Canada: e-mail us!

tvo.org

The Scientific Workforce Policy Debate

Blogging Science

We need a forum on science policy

The Canadian Science Policy Centre

Upcoming Science Policy Conferences and Seminars

ConnexScience.ca

More Canadian Science Blogs

Science Policy in Canada

Science policy around the world

Science News

Tags

Search

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

Why Science Canada?

Blog Archive