Over the past year, the ISSP has published multiple member blogs about how we need to transform decision-making to more effectively address grand challenges, such as transforming teaching, training and the science enterprise; fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in decision-making; putting into practice new decision-making models, and reframing how we think about science and technology in domestic and international policy. The compilation also includes a dedicated section on the grand challenges of COVID-19 and climate change.
Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of New Brunswick
Former Postdoctoral Fellow with Positive Energy
The New Brunswick government recently announced that it is “leading the country” in the reduction of its GHG emissions, “well on its way to meeting the national target of 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels.” New Brunswick’s electricity sector is currently fueled by 80% non-emitting sources. This accomplishment is unexpected because it comes from a traditionally fossil-fuel dependent province, with similarities in its energy mix to Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. Is New Brunswick’s success too good to be true?
Postdoctoral Researcher, SUNLAB Solar Research Group, University of Ottawa
As scientists and engineers in the energy sector, we have a responsibility to share our expertise by engaging with energy decision-making in Canada and with the public at large to help build consensus on the path to net zero.
MA Student in International Science & Technology Policy, George Washington University
The Bromley Memorial Event brings together graduate students from the United States and Canada to exchange ideas about science and technology policy, examine country-level policy differences, and to learn from senior policy advisors in both countries. I was honoured to provide brief remarks following Dr. Nemer’s keynote on The Complex Role of Science Advice in Informing Policy. The following is an adaptation of my remarks.
On Wednesday, June 15th 2022, from 8:30AM to 5PM, the ISSP and Positive Energy will host a conference featuring a variety of speakers and industry representatives to discuss the findings of our latest research. This conference will be held in person at the University of Ottawa and offered virtually.
On Thursday, May 12, at 12:00 PM, the Institute for Science, Society and Policy hosted Prof. Louis Simard, Faculty Affiliate, ISSP and Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences - Public Administration, uOttawa, to discuss social acceptability and distributive justice. Please note, this event will be taking place in French.
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 4:30 PM, the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa and the Institute for International Science and Technology Policy at the George Washington University was delighted to host Dr. Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada, as part of the 2022 Bromley Memorial Event.
On Wednesday, June 15th 2022, from 8:30AM to 5PM, the ISSP and Positive Energy will host a conference featuring a variety of speakers and industry representatives to discuss the findings of our latest research. This conference will be held in person at the University of Ottawa and offered virtually.
New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research evaluate Canadians' appetite to meet established climate commitments, whether it is the right time for Canada to be ambitious in addressing climate change and drivers of views on timing to address climate change. It also evaluates Canada's international credibility on environmental policies.Canada's international credibility on environmental policies.
A new study from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program examines the work of the Ecofiscal Commission of Canada, an organization that aimed to depoliticize the debate about carbon pricing in Canada by using one specific tool: infusing the debate with non-partisan, academically rigorous research and evidence.
This Positive Energy study explores limits to consensus-building on energy and climate—specifically limits that flow from partisan politics. It identifies key drivers and events that have contributed to the polarization of certain energy and climate issues along partisan lines, and offers advice for decision-makers looking to navigate polarized contexts on the way to net zero by 2050.
New survey results from Positive Energy and Nanos Research evaluate how Canadians perceive the level of public consensus on a number of climate and energy issues. The survey asks Canadians about the current level of agreement on these issues, as well as the level of agreement relative to five years ago.
The fruit of eighteen months of engagement with our members, it is grounded in the ambitious vision of helping Canada to transform decision-making to meet the grand challenges of our time. The plan lays out multiple research, teaching and outreach goals, activities and target outcomes to realize this vision.
