Unless something very exciting happens, I think this will be my last post about the 2022 edition of the Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC 2022). From an October 27, 2022 CSPC announcement (received via email), here are some of the highlights for people attending the November 16 – 18, 2022 conference in person,
Conversation with Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Remarks by Hon. Kirsty Duncan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Science and Research of the House of Commons
Plenary Sessions: Canadian Universities, News Frontier and Societal Challenges -Steven Liss, Simon Kennedy, Stephen Toope, Sophie D’Amours, Elicia Maine
A Path to Process Innovation and Enhanced Productivity in Canada -Iain Stewart, Dan Breznitz, Éric Baril, Andrea Johnston
Breakfast Session: Conversation with New Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System -Frédéric Bouchard, Gilles Patry and Vianne Timmons
Luncheon Session: Conversation with Dr. Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor
INGA [International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)] North America Chapter Workshop (RSVP Required)
Special Performance: The Anniversary, A Play (RSVP Required)
The Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) advances federal research priorities and the coordination of policies and programs of Canada’s research funding agencies and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. It provides a senior strategic forum for sharing information, building consensus and making decisions on forward-looking initiatives that strengthen Canada’s research enterprise, foster world-leading research, and advance the social and economic well-being of Canadians.
As always these days, the in person portion of the conference is in Ottawa and, if you’re looking for the supersaver discount, you’d best rush to register for the Nov. 16 – 18, 2022 Canadian Science Policy Conference before September 3rd [2022], 11:59PM EST. Here are a few details from the Registration page,
Registration includes 3 Lunches, 3 breakfasts, refreshment breaks, and one reception, and zoom pre-conference sessions.
Gala Dinner is included in the Standard registration category. Gala dinner for students and non-profit pricing is $99
Registration Label Name
SuperSaver Rate All summer – Sept 3rd
Early Bird Rate Sept. 4th – Oct 1st
Regular Rate From Oct 5th
Standard (Gala dinner included)
$990
$1100
$1250
Academic / Non-Profit / Retired / Diplomat
$550
$650
$750
Student / Postdoctoral Fellow / Trainee
$200
$250
$300
I’m not sure why there’s a gap (Oct. 2 – 4, 2022) between the dates for the Early Bird Rage and the Regular Rate but I assume that will be addressed at some point.
The programme doesn’t seem all that exciting (YMMV). So, I’ve done the best I can with the choices at hand, here’s the description for one of the pre-conference Zoom sessions followed by a conference session description,
If the current pandemic has taught us anything, we need to find a way to avoid, or, at minimum, mitigate the effects of disease and environmental emergencies, including future pandemics propagated in human and animal populations. A One Health approach, which focuses on the perfect storm of health challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health, must be at the centre of preparedness; these events have the potential to cause massive suffering, disrupt food systems, derail our economies, and lead to huge inequities and political unrest. Although this call to action may seem daunting, there are many examples of successful One Health initiatives and policy approaches around the globe. This panel will consider One Health’s success stories and how they chart a course for putting a strategy in place to prepare us best for future national and global health threats. Our panellists will present their stories of how they initiated positive change utilizing a One Health approach and the important lessons they have learned.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform healthcare, addressing long-standing problems of safety, quality and access. Yet, AI itself also raises concerns relating, for instance, to algorithmic bias, apportionment of liability, safety, privacy and informed consent. Are our existing legal structures, across Canada, sufficient to meet these 21st century challenges? Our panel will discuss their research program of work shopping case studies with a multidisciplinary group (legal, clinical, computer science, engineering, ethics) of a range of health-related AI across healthcare settings. In doing so they will illuminate the heterogeneity of challenges AI presents and the needs we have for adroit law reform [emphasis mine].
…
It’s nice to see that lawyers care about our health.
Organizers have spiced things up a bit with two performances (November 15 and November 16, 2022) of a play,
Panel Organized by: CSPC [Canadian Science Policy Centre/Conference], ISSP [Institute for Science, Society and Policy], Faculty of Art University of Ottawa RSVP required
The Anniversary: A play
Ottawa lawyer Evelyn Carlyle married the perfect man and created her ideal family. But when her three adult children return home to celebrate their parents’ 30th anniversary, her creation starts to look like a failed lab experiment.
Choice, identity and the nature of connection collide in a gripping exploration of the intimate role of science and technology in our lives. How does technology shape our deepest familial relationships in ways we don’t even recognize?
An alt-present family drama that gets at the ancient roots of what it is to be human, or not.
A special arts-science collaboration from the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa.
As for sustainability, there’s this session amongst others,
Panel Organized by: Future Earth/Sustainability in the Digital Age
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) could help Canada meet 2030 carbon reduction commitments while protecting biodiversity and providing multiple ecosystem services that improve the well-being of humanity; but their long-term impacts are still poorly understood and they don’t engage all stakeholders for an equitable and effective approach forward. The panel’s objective is to discuss preliminary Canadian NbS trends and data needs. We also assess the co-creation of NbS, centering these solutions around Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. This panel also explores recent gatherings towards strengthening Indigenous Carbon Rights as a crucial pillar of NbS success in Canada and globally.
Here’s one last tidbit from the conference programme,
Panel Organized by: Visions of Science Network for Learning
In our current crises of vaccine hesitancy, the digital divide, health inequities, misinformation, and climate change denial, we have seen the dire consequences of approaching STEM separately from society, equity, and community. This session brings together community-focused science experts who have played pivotal roles working with marginalized communities in the context of the pandemic and digital shift. Panelists will share their insights and calls to action to break down the elitism in science, embed humility and curiosity about diverse expertise and lived experiences, and foster inclusion, integrity, and accountability to communities to restore trust in science institutions.