“Building Forward Better” (sigh) is the concept for the upcoming 2021 Canadian Science Policy Conference. (I wish the theme didn’t seem derivative of “Build Back Better,” President Joe Biden’s agenda.) The deadline as it stands now is May 21, 2021 for the panel proposals and, I believe, the short talk proposals.
As usual, the conference is being held in Ottawa, which is convenient when most government science policy wonks are in Ottawa, of course, the rest of us can ‘Zoom’ attend.
Note: CSPC is the abbreviation for both the Canadian Science Policy Centre and the Canadian Science Policy Conference, which the Centre organizes. Confusing, eh? conference.
From the 2021 CSPC call for submissions webpage (Note formatting changes),
CSPC [Canadian Science Policy Centre] is excited to announce the themes and topics for the 13th Canadian Science Policy Conference!
As Canada focuses on the future and post-pandemic rebuilding process, the overarching message of CSPC 2021 is shaped by the concept of Building Forward Better.
PANEL DEADLINE MAY 21ST
There is no fee associated with the panel submission.
Theme 1: Science and Policy
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STI Policy frameworks
Towards holistic STI policies: Approaches that are inclusive of governments, agencies, private sector, academe
Beyond the Endless Frontier; Renegotiating the Social Contract between Science, Innovation, and Society
The international research ecosystem/supply chain – opportunities and risks
Policy and regulation of emerging technologies
Indigenous knowledge:
Integration in evidence-informed decision making
Climate change:
Carbon management goals: Issues and approaches for agriculture, forestry, food production, manufacturing, and land use
Agriculture: Production, sustainability, and life cycle; precision agriculture
Biodiversity and conservation
Indigenous communities’ engagement in managing and adapting to climate change
Smart cities and smart infrastructure
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Theme 2: Science and Society
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Public engagement:
Responses to the science of COVID-19 – lessons learned
Misinformation/Disinformation
Public trust in science, especially in the post pandemic world
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Digital media:
Democracy and politics in a ‘post-trust’ / ‘post-truth’ / post-pandemic era
Science and Post Pandemic Politics, Platforms and Elections
Theme 3: Science, Innovation and Economic Development
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International:
Best Global practices in commercializing new knowledge from scientific research
Priority Sectors/Challenges
Sustainable development and the circular resource economy
What should be Canada’s competitive priority: Technology innovation or technology adoption?
Assessing the impact of Disruptive Technologies on Canada’s Job Growth and Economic Development
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Theme 4: Science and International Affairs and Security
Security of Research and Innovation:
State and non-state espionage
Cyber, and data security
International Collaboration and Security
Science diplomacy in post pandemic era
International STI developments: Implications for Canada:
American Science Policy
Horizon Europe
International science and technology agreements
Social Media, international regulations, and citizen rights International knowledge and talent strategy, brain circulation
Science and Technology in an increasingly tense global order
Theme 5: Science and the Next Generation
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New graduates and new realities
Capacity building:
The next generation of Indigenous leaders
The next generation of innovative tech leaders, e.g. space, AI, cybersecurity cleantech
Indigenous led research by Indigenous for Indigenous
Theme 6: Grand Challenges
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Canada’s energy policies for a sustainable future
Food security
Climate change
Climate Adaptation
Next steps to Net Zero
Water scarcity and quality
Oceans and sea rise
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As I’ve noted elsewhere (and frequently), much of the science policy discussion coming out of Ottawa via these conferences and the Council of Canadian Academies is Eurocentric and UScentric as can be seen in Theme 4’s International STI developments: Implications for Canada., which highlights these three topics: American Science Policy, Horizon Europe, and International science and technology agreements. No mention of China? Perhaps it will be found here in submissions for Science and Technology in an increasingly tense global order. Finally and surprisingly, there’s no mention of the Arctic in the Grand Challenges’ Climate change subgroups or elsewhere.
I have some more details from the 2021 CSPC’s Criteria for proposal selection webpage,
CSPC is a national forum, a mosaic which aims to have a balanced representation of regional, sectoral, and topical diversity; as well as to provide under-represented groups an opportunity to present their ideas. These criteria will also be factored in for the final selection of panels.
There are two streams for proposal submission this year. Please read the criteria for each stream carefully before finalizing your submission. Both streams are expected to adhere to the CSPC 2021 themes and topics to increase chances of acceptance.
1. Panel proposals
80 minute panels (50 minute presentation, 20-30 minutes of questions) where a diverse, multisectoral group discuss topics in science policy (see CSPC 2021 themes and topics)
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2. Short talk proposals.
10 minute presentations for those individuals who do not have the means to organize a panel, in particular student and early career professionals.
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Good luck!