The Canadian Science Policy Conference 2013 organizers have announced their preliminary programme and early  registration for the 2013 (5th annual) conference, from an Aug. 8, 2013 announcement,

The 5th Canadian Science Policy Conference

Registration is Now Open and Panels are announced below.

After 5 years, the Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC) is returning to Toronto to host an expanded, diversified, richer science policy conference. The conference offers a unique platform for stakeholders to connect at the national level, to exchange ideas on key issues in science, technology, and innovation policy, and to craft a future based on strong, dynamic, and innovative policy-making for the benefit of all Canadians.

CSPC 2013 Highlights:

• 400+ participants
• 3 pre-conference workshop symposiums (Science Policy Nuts and Bolts, Science Diplomacy & Science and Technology Communication)
• Inauguration of the Awards of Excellence in Science Policy – a first in Canada
• Double the number of sessions from last year, now up to 30
• Diversified panel sessions maximizing panelist-participant interactions

….

We are pleased to announce 25 panels across CSPC 2013’s five themes: international trade and diplomacy, private sector innovation, communicating science, graduate studies and training, and emerging issues in Canadian science policy.

Asian Science and Technology Strategies and Process – Implications for Canada Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada The evolving science and technology landscape for development in the South and the models and opportunities for science diplomacy International Development Research Centre The world in 2020: Three questions for internationalized science UK Science & Innovation Network The complexity of driving the bio-economy: Genomics, Canada’s natural resources and private-public collaborations Genome Canada Canada’s Commercialization Challenge Schroeder & Schroeder Inc Inspiring Excellence – Engaging students in meaningful science experiences Let’s Talk Science The Solitudes: Government science, the Media, and Those who help them Interact: Can we ever get along under today’s rules of engagement? Canadian Science Writers’ Association Journalists are from Mars; scientists are from Venus. Will they ever be on the same planet? Maclean’s/Medical Post/MIT Who are the innovators in Canada and what do we know about the individuals who drive innovation? THECIS Evaluating large-scale S&T initiatives: A case study on the complexity of capturing and disseminating meaningful outcome and impacts data Genome Canada

Science Funding Mechanisms Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute Science blogging in Canada: Making use of a valuable resource [emphasis mine] Science Communications Canada Training the next generation of scientists – who are they and what will they do? Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars and The Black Hole Blog Is a PhD Really a Waste of Time? University of Toronto Is Canada able to meet its needs for research and innovation on northern issues, given that it does not have graduate programs situated in the three Canadian territories? Government of Yukon Strategies to Enhance Productivity of Knowledge Workers Strategy First Consulting (SFC)  Ocean Research and Policy Ocean Networks Canada  Canadian Innovation: Understanding the role of IR&D The Council of Canadian Academies Big data: solutions for the big problems faced by modern societies British Consulate General Toronto

More details about the program will be posted on our website shortly. The titles of six more panels will also be announced at this time.

I have a little inside scoop about the panel on science blogging.  One of the panelists (I believe she proposed the presentation) is Sarah Boon of the Watershed Moments blog who has also been one of the prime movers behind the Science Borealis initiative.

I last wrote about Science Borealiis (blogging science from Canadian perspectives) and its logo contest in a June 14, 2013 posting, which mentioned the other prime movers behind this science aggregator/hub/community along with details about the contest. For anyone interested in making a submission, the contest deadline was extended to Aug. 15, 2013.

Recently, we (I’m involved too) announced the contest jurors,

The logos will be judged by

• Raymond K. Nakamura, science blogger (Vancouver’s Science World blog), web comic artist, and science exhibition content developer (http://raymondsbrain.com/)
• Janice Whitehead, owner and publisher of Preview: The Gallery Guide, a visual arts publication that is distributed through Alberta, BC, Washington state, and Oregon (http://www.preview-art.com/)

There are prizes,

• Prizes will be awarded to 3 finalists chosen by the Science Borealis team. Prizes will be awarded as follows.
  • Winners:
  • Personal subscription to any NRC Research Press journal (published by Canadian Science Publishing), plus a $50 amazon gift card and a laptop bag
  • Runners Up:
  • Any book or ebook available from the NRC Research Press online bookstore (provided by Canadian Science Publishing)
  • $25 Amazon gift card
  • {Prizes provided by Genome Alberta and Canadian Science Publishing}
• Finalists will be announced via Science Borealis social media channels
• Finalists’ designs will not be revealed publicly
• The winning design and designer will be announced via Science Borealis social media channels
• The winning designer will be recognized on the Science Borealis website with a link to his/her site if applicable

Good luck to all and, should you be attending the Canadian Science Policy Conference, please don’t miss the science blogging panel.