Science Policy Takes the Stage
October 28, 2009 8:45 PM
Filed Under: Mikenomics
If science is going to receive public money, somewhere along the way scientists become political. That isn't a criticism, just an observation. Yet the science community likes to aspire to loftier goals and often think that 'just trust us' is good enough.
The public doesn't always buy that, and the politicians who make decisions on the allocation of funds certainly don't always buy that. When a federal or provincial budget comes down there will inevitably be those who think they were short changed, those who think they came out pretty well, and those who think they are both wrong.
How were decision made? How were priorities set?
It usually comes down to policy and in the case of science, that policy it is not always clear.
In 2008 an idea formed with a group of young scientists, researchers, and post-docs to fix that. With no single organization, government department, university, funding agency or company to back them, they decided to hold a science policy conference with the motto: "better policy, better science".
Tonight all the hard work to raise funds, establish a profile, engage top notch speakers, find volunteers, and stuff the conference bags came together with the opening of the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Toronto. If the next 2 days go as well as tonight, they have a hit on their hands. I joined the organizing committee late in the process and I must admit there were times when I was getting a little jumpy, but when you walked into the Marriott Centre Hotel tonight you were surrounded by the men and women who have a say in Canada's science policy, or who live their lives working with the results of the policy.
I've posted quite a few pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/MikesGene and if you take a look at them you're sure to see some familiar faces. After some opening remarks from conference chairman Dr. Mehrdad Hariri to a packed house ( the Marriott Grand
Ballroom was standing room only ) John Milloy took the stage. He is an Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and carries double duty as Minister of Research and Innovation. He was followed by Bruce Alberts Editor-in-Chief of Science and past president of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C.
When everyone broke for the reception it was an upbeat mood. The speakers had set the stage for 2 days of pretty good (and we hope open ) discussion on how science can keep government informed and how government in turn can be clear about how it expects science to be carried out across the country.
I'll lift straight from our Conference web site on what the main goals are for the next 2 days.
- To identify and discuss current Canadian science policy issues.
- To create networking opportunities in order to forge stronger links between scientists and policy-makers.
- To lay the foundation for establishing a Canadian "Virtual Institute" for Science Policy Research.
Not an easy job but the right people are going to be there including the Honourable Gary Goodyear the Minister of State for Science and Technology. I'm looking forward to the discussions and the outcomes.
Look on Twitter for #CSPC, check back on these blog pages and visit our Picasa photosharing site and go to www.sciencepolicy.ca and follow the discussion pages.
Posted by Mike Spear at October 28, 2009 8:45 PM