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.
Over the past six months, the ISSP has published multiple member blogs providing concrete advice to decision-makers about the myriad impacts and dimensions of COVID-19 – everything from science advice and government responses, to data collection and modelling to the cultural dimensions of superspreader events, the future of air travel, and the impacts on human rights.
With the 4th conference of the International Network of Government Science Advisors (INGSA) currently taking place in Montreal, it is worth recalling the earlier work of such structured, global science advisory gatherings.
To various extents, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the deterioration of the mental health of many people in Canada. However, certain groups have incurred more damage than others. Among them, refugees new to or in Canada have faced unique challenges during this time, according to existing research. Although certain resources exist to address the mental health needs of refugees, they face many barriers in accessing those services.
Core Member, ISSP
Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, uOttawa
What these photos of Kabul airport demonstrate plainly now is that airports are crucibles of international politics, where security and rights are refracted through technologies, bureaucracies, policies, and sometimes sheer terror. The falling man of Kabul reminds us that the romance of the airport is over, but the politicization of the airport is all the more urgent.
The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change underscores yet again the urgency to act, noting that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. In Canada, there is far more consensus and support for taking action in business and society than there was even five years ago, and we have a comprehensive plan to reach our 2030 emissions reduction targets.
Past Fulbright Research Chair, ISSP, uOttawa
Professor of Computer Information Systems, Southern New Hampshire University
Faculty Affiliate, ISSP
Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, uOttawa
The Government of Canada established an Accessible Technology Program (2017 – 2022) to foster inclusive participation of Canadians with disabilities in the digital economy, aiming to allow Canadians with disabilities to obtain better access to digital services and increase their participation in the digital economy.
Senior Fellow and former Fulbright Research Chair in Science and Society, ISSP, uOttawa President Emeritus of theCenter for Policy on Emerging Technologies, Washington, DC
A pandemic seems a simple enough problem. Long before vaccines, before germ theory, we had quarantines, social distancing, even masks. Stay apart and the virus will stop hopping around onto new victims. Yet the complexity of our modern societies has made handling such a situation as unsimple as it gets.
Faculty Affiliate, ISSP
Full Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Enginnering, Faculty of Enginnering, uOttawa
Carbon Capture and Thermal Energy Storage technologies using “Adsorption Processes” have very important roles to play to mitigate the effects of climate change. In this blog, I am going to summarize how we can use these technologies and how they would help.
Managing Director, Synergy Technology Management
Chair, Foresight Synergy Network hosted by Telfer School of Management, uOttawa
Geopolitics has traditionally been framed against diverse elites with vested interests competing for control of geographyand natural resources. This has been the case for thousands of years, from the days of the earliest empires to the nation and city-states of today. However, geopolitics is now taking on a new dimension, one defined by an emerging competition among states and elements of their corporate sectors to control and use massive amounts of data about people, places and things.
Canada is proud to have one of the world’s best research environments for cutting-edge development in technology and science. But recent media reports have documented the risks of a system where Canadian researchers may collaborate with China.
Faculty Affiliate, ISSP
Full Professor, Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa
Taiwan has effectively handled the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, but is now facing an unexpected outbreak. Although the numbers still pale in comparison to Canada, the trends in the last few days points to a rise in cases and low vaccination rates.
The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ISSP or its staff.
