CSPC 2018

Organized by:  LitScientist, Alan Shapiro 

Adapting the message to the audience is the single most important skill in communicating science effectively. Typically, scientists and researchers are trained to prepare presentations for colleagues; using the same approach for wider audiences including policymakers, funders, and the public can significantly limit the effectiveness of knowledge mobilization and community engagement efforts. Improvisation offers a wealth of tools and strategies for enhancing presentations and promoting audience engagement. Unlike traditional public speaking approaches, improvisation also supports researchers in responding to unexpected factors, such as challenging questions and unpredictable audiences. In this workshop, participants will work through interactive exercises to develop their communication skills. The workshop centres on individual and group work, and is designed to bring value to participants from both science and policy organizations. The workshop is geared to push participants outside their comfort zones and share concrete strategies that participants can apply for themselves and share within their institutions.

Organized by: Colleges and Institutes Canada, Anna Toneguzzo

Indigenous ways of knowing – how First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples relate to the world around them, through community practices, ritual and relations – have traditionally not been integrated into academic research. This valuable expertise is often overlooked. Recognising this gap, colleges and institutes across Canada are developing partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to advance applied research on some of the most scientifically pressing issues of our time, which results in social innovation in sectors as diverse as food security, climate change and governance. Applied research undertaken by colleges and institutes is demand- driven, based on local and regional community needs. This is important in urban areas, but particularly in rural, remote and northern areas where colleges are key providers of training, work- integrated learning opportunities and applied research. A key characteristic of applied research is to partner with communities to understand and define the problem that needs to be solved and to then design adequate, applicable and relevant solutions. Colleges and institutes, with their expertise in applied research, training and strong employer connections, are able to draw upon their resources, infrastructure and laboratories to support innovation by, for and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. This panel will focus on their experience, lessons learned and the way forward on applied research with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, while also taking into account how these communities can develop and engage in their own research initiatives.

Organized by: Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Peter Severinson

Rapid development of transformative new technologies – such as social media, artificial intelligence, and new health technologies – is creating important opportunities and challenges for governments, businesses, the research community and society at large. Too often, however, the social implications of such developments are overlooked.

Emerging technologies bring with them important new challenges. In recent years we have learned that our reliance on social media has created new risks to our democracies, with partisans and foreign actors able to rapidly spread falsehoods that exploit social divisions and erode public trust. The rapid development of artificial intelligence is raising questions about whether a new wave of automation threatens to dramatically reduce human jobs and accelerate inequality. Development in the medical sciences continually challenge historic social conventions and ethical norms.

We need to better understand how society is affected by emerging technologies in part to address the risks but also to help us unlock the potential benefits: to train workers able to make the best use of new capabilities, to make smart decision about how to employ new technology to address society’s most pressing problems, and to ensure the benefits of new technologies are effectively shared throughout our diverse society.

In this session we will explore whether the Canadian policy and research community is doing enough to understand and address the social implications of new technologies. We will consider how multidisciplinary approaches can help us address multiple dimensions of technological change and better understand the roles of diverse actors, including the natural scientist, the philosopher, the engineer, the behavioural scientist, the historian and the policy maker.

We will also explore the skills and knowledge needed to achieve the full potential of new technologies and to avoid the dangers, including scientific literacy, digital competency, creativity, openness, cultural awareness and sound ethical foundations. Finally, this event will engage the audience in a discussion about which new emerging technologies demand increased attention from the research and policy community and how we can work together to addressing their social implications.

Organized by: Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Eleanor Fast

Canada’s aging population and the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias pose a significant challenge for Canadian families and their caregivers, and more broadly, for the health care system.

Recognizing the importance of developing and implementing an effective strategy to address this challenge, the Minister of Health of Canada, through the Public Health Agency of Canada, asked the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) to provide an evidence-informed and authoritative assessment on the state of knowledge to help advance federal priorities under the National Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Act.

To address the charge, the CAHS assembled a multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral panel with a range of expertise, experience, and demonstrated leadership in this domain. The panel’s report will assess the evidence‐based and emerging practices, actions, and programs in jurisdictions within Canada and internationally that improve the care and the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

This session at CSPC will provide attendees with an overview of the panel’s approach to providing meaningful input in a complex multi-jurisdictional policy environment.

Organized by: Carleton School of Journalism and Communication

Canadian scientists want to engage with non scientists to ensure that policy makers use scientific evidence to form public policy. This rationale for engagement was given top priority in a recent survey of NSERC Discovery grantees when asked about their communication objectives. The survey was carried out in 2017-18.

Ensuring continued research funding came in second, and in third place, but sill with a strong showing was the desire to ensure Canadian culture values science.

Mindful of these priorities, this panel will look at ways and means of how these goals might be realized in practice. How important is communications training?  Just over half the survey respondents had some media training. Is it working?

At one time, academics believed that transferring knowledge to non-scientists was adequate and advisable. No longer.

Scientists are taught to use techniques like storytelling, active listening, empathy in the expanding number of workshops and sessions offered by research-informed science communicators in training organizations across North America and Europe.

The panelists all have relevant academic and practical approaches to help scientists communicate more effectively when talking to media, policy makers or interested audiences. The questions about what works best relies on articulating how we measure successful outcomes with the methods used to achieve desired goals. In other words, injecting some science into science communication.

The moderator will expand on the expertise of the panel by eliciting audience experiences. The session will explore the communication issues and best practices for those who want to ensure that scientific evidence is a vital part of the body politic and an appreciation of science is a fundamental aspect of Canadian culture. 

Organized by: Ontario Science Centre, Maurice Bitran

The level of science literacy and the attitudes of the population towards science and technology are important to the future of technology-based societies like ours. Not only because our economy is dependent on technology, but also because many social issues are affected by science and technology, effectively making science literacy a requirement for meaningful participation in the public policy dialogue. What do Canadians think about science and technology? Do they trust scientists and scientific results?What do they think about science and technology related issues such as climate change or artificial intelligence?

For the third consecutive year, the Ontario Science Centre has conducted an on-line survey on science literacy and attitudes towards science across Canada. A review of its main results will serve as the background for this discussion in which each panel member will also discuss what their organizations are doing to increase public literacy and public trust in science.

Organized by: OCAD University, Robert Luke

What is inclusive innovation? How do we achieve it?
These are important questions to ask as we continue to pivot into a knowledge based global economy. Inclusive innovation is a worthy outcome to strive for. But in order to achieve it, we need to ensure that the inputs are inclusive. We can usefully plot this into a logic model, which provides a way for understanding the relationships between the various inputs, activities and outputs that will help us achieve the outcome(s) commensurate with the focus on inclusive innovation.

When we look at innovation through this lens and work back from the goal of inclusive innovation we can see that there are gaps in the material conditions that would support the outcome of inclusive innovation. Innovation inputs usefully include the pipeline of science and technology and research and development (S&T and R&D), funding, people, culture, activities: those conditions and material supports that are put into play against any innovation effort.

Inclusive innovation means focusing not just on simple to count measures such as patents and publications, but on the full spectrum of innovation outputs.

• We need to ask: whose perspective has been left out of innovation?
• What activities and disciplines are needed to facilitate innovation?
• What outputs result from these inputs?

When we look at innovation through this lens and work back from the goal of inclusive innovation we can see that there are gaps in the material conditions that would support the outcome of inclusive innovation.

The authors in this series offer helpful advice, expertise and perspectives on inclusive innovation.

• Dori Tunstall, Dean of Design, OCAD University, on BIPOC entrepreneurship (and Black Panther!)
• Malavika Kumaran, Senior Associate, Research, MaRS Data Catalyst, on women in tech
• Ken Doyle, Executive Director of TechAccess Canada on later-stage applied R&D and experimental development in support of diversity of activity
• Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President, Research Programs, SSHRC will address the role of humanities and social sciences in addressing grand challenges and multidisciplinary research.

Inclusive innovation is a worthy outcome to strive for. In order to achieve it, we need to ensure that the inputs, activities and outputs are inclusive. When we do so, we leverage the full spectrum of capacity from across society, and help to build more resilient social, cultural and economic outcomes.

Organized by: Fonds de recherche du Québec, Fanny Magini

Canadian granting agencies are increasingly interested in strengthening the link between science and society. This link can take various forms, including that of participatory science, in which non-expert citizens are involved in the research process. The Chief Scientist of Québec would like to organize a panel to discuss the role of granting agencies in the funding of participatory science in Canada and the role of citizens in the research process. Panelists will answer questions such as: Do granting agencies already support this type of research? Are there specific research programs to promote and recognize participatory science? Beyond research programming, should citizens have a place on evaluation committees, boards of directors of granting agencies, or other official bodies?

Organized by: Stem Cell Network, Lisa Willemse

Stem cell research is an exciting field of science and holds much promise for the treatment of chronic illnesses and diseases. However, stem cell research is complex and there is much to learn before stem cell-based treatments will be ready for routine clinical use. Today, there are very few stem cell therapies offered by medical professionals as the standard care of practice. Despite this, private clinics worldwide – and increasingly here in Canada – market stem cell-based therapies to people who are vulnerable and seeking relief for a variety of conditions, from arthritis to stroke.  Regulatory loopholes have allowed these clinics to expand in many jurisdictions.  Recent studies show that the global market for unproven therapies is $2.4B, with 60,000 patients purchasing treatments each year. Nearly 800 clinics are operating in the United States alone, it is unclear how many are operating in Canada.

These treatments come with high financial costs, little to no medical follow-up, and the risk of adverse outcomes. None have been proven to be effective through clinical trials, the medical gold standard required to determine both safety and efficacy. Nor do these clinics publish their methods or outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, relying instead on anecdotal evidence and patient testimonials to support their claims. By preying upon the hopes of desperate patients, unregulated stem cell clinics are making very tidy profits.

Led by the Stem Cell Network, the stem cell research community has been working nationally and alongside international partners to better understand the issue and provide guidance that fit social, legal and political frameworks. With limited resources dedicated to the massive effort required to effectively debunk existing myths and communicate the risks to the public, scientists are facing a losing battle. Action is needed and Canada is well positioned to become a leader for the world in responding to this growing industry and its unethical practices.  However, to meet the challenge head-on a coordinated effort is required; one that sees the science community, patient groups, health care providers, media and government all playing their respective part to increase awareness of fake or risky therapies.
With reference to a paper detailing the outcomes of a 2017 workshop (publication expected summer/fall 2018), this panel will explore the current state of the issue in Canada and provide insights on what they believe is needed to mitigate the proliferation of a new market that is offering unproven and risky treatments to the general public.

Organized by: Natural Resources Canada’s Office of the Chief Scientist 

Today’s issues are multi-facetted and complex. Drawing on various sources of evidence can enhance our ability to identify sensible and practical solutions.  Success stories that draw on both science and Indigenous Knowledge systems are often undocumented. Much remains to be done, and discussions of experiences and examples are important for sharing experiential knowledge of the panelists such as lessons learned and best practices.

Moderated by Natural Resources Canada’s Chief Scientist and for the benefit of the Government of Canada’s Science and Policy Integration community, this panel will provide an opportunity for practitioners in various disciplines to present their experiences including both challenges and enablers. Panelists will discuss the results of their work in bridging science and Indigenous knowledge systems for a common purpose such as sustainable environmental and natural resource management. Case studies presented by the panelists will provide participants with examples of successful integration and partnership practices established between governmental organizations and local/regional and Indigenous groups.

This "Case Study" panel would follow the Short Talk-type panel on the same subject, delving deeper by providing ‘grassroots’ perspectives.

Organized by: Genome Canada, Rob Annan

Disruptive technologies are double-edged swords. Social media, artificial intelligence (AI), gene editing—all promise enormous economic and social potential. At the same time, they challenge important social norms, policies, and institutions and create unintended and unpredicted consequences.

Society invests significant public resources to support the science and technology that drive these innovations, but invests relatively little to investigate their potential benefits, risks and consequences. Indeed, these are incommensurable – there are no commonly accepted metrics that allow us to evaluate and compare the benefits and risks. Policy makers and the public, faced with rapidly developing technologies, often succumb to reflexive and emotive policy responses.

Since its establishment, Genome Canada has promoted a globally-innovative program (“GE3LS”) to research the ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues involved in genomics research. Each large-scale genomics project funded at Genome Canada must integrate a GE3LS research component, promoting a deeper understanding of the broader impact of the research. Dr. Eric Meslin, President of the Council of Canadian Academies and expert on bioethics and science policy, recently led an extensive review of the GE3LS program which identified key lessons for integrating social sciences research into technology development.

Dr. Meslin will chair a session that will explore this topic through two case studies that illustrate how GE3LS works in practice. Each will be co-presented by the project’s genomic and social science researchers who will explain:
- Why it was important to integrate social research into the project;
- The challenges and opportunities this integration presented;
- Expected—and unexpected—benefits observed.

The case studies represent disruptive technological research in genomics. The first describes the development of novel diagnostic technology for breast cancer, the challenges created in supporting informed decision-making by doctors and patients, and the importance of  evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the new technology. The second project focuses on forestry genomics and climate change and integrates research into understanding the ecological, socio-economic and institutional factors that affect the adoption of new technologies in forest management. Both projects are led by internationally-recognized and celebrated Canadian researchers.

Following the case study presentations, Dr. Meslin will moderate a brief discussion between panelists and members of the audience to explore how these case studies might inform the larger context of disruptive technology research, with lessons for ongoing work in artificial intelligence and machine learning, automation and robotics, and beyond.

Organized by: David Johnson Research + Technology Park, University of Waterloo

Whether its climate change skepticism, falling vaccination rates, or the public pressure to shape policy that contravenes research findings, scientific information in all arenas struggles against waves of misinformation and disinformation that confirm our biases and reinforce the stories we want to tell ourselves about the world and how it works. As journalist Elfa Ýr Gylfadóttir noted in 2017, “It has even been said that, despite the easy access to knowledge, we as a human kind, are now living in the era of misinformation or disinformation.” (https://njc.dk/article/the-challenge-in-an-era-of-misinformation-and-disinformation/)

This isn't a new phenomenon – indeed the communication challenges facing science have deep historical roots – however, the rapid acceleration of digital technologies has given rise to a plurality of powerful, non-traditional voices who handily circumvent the gatekeeping and agenda setting functions of traditional institutions and outlets, planting the seeds of skepticism, mistrust and confusion. Meanwhile traditional information outlets continue to find themselves increasingly short on the time and resources necessary to fully investigate these stories, widening the gap between the general public and trusted, evidence-based information. This panel brings together experts from industry, academia, and media to discuss the historical challenges of communication and story-telling facing science and to explore how we can work together to create a stronger public discourse built on sound, evidence-based information to re-establish public trust and develop better policies. We’ll explore the historical challenges of scientific communications and how those are rapidly evolving in the digital era; how institutions, government, and industry and respond and leverage these emerging technologies to share information; and attempt to examine how we can work together to approach science communication at a broader policy level.

Great research ecosystems support public outreach.
- INVESTING IN CANADA’S FUTURE Strengthening the Foundations of Canadian Research.
In this one sentence lies an entire field of research and practice that is key to moving science forward in Canada. But most science outreach programs in this country are, by their very design, only reaching youth or “science-aware” adults.

Many of us used to be merely concerned about the large group of public who turned away from science early in their lives and now lack any inclination to engage with it. Now, flat Earthers, anti-vaxxers and climate change deniers demonstrate that a public not just disengaged from, but actively skeptical of established science, can become a political force.

Even in the face of this, we have not changed how we engage with adults to try and reach beyond our traditional, science-aware base.

This panel explores ideas and best practices to engage adults from many backgrounds and interests with science, and what these require to be sustainable. The session moves from discussion to practice with a Freestyle Social, an innovative vehicle for public consultation and engagement with current science-related issues. The ultimate goal is to answer the question, who speaks for science in Canada?

Organized by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Eloisa Martinez

An interactive and forward-looking series of four lightning talks, organized by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), will highlight several key opportunities and challenges presented by the pervasive role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies in the daily lives of Canadian citizens within a globalized context. Speakers from across academic, public, community/not-for-profit and business sectors will explore with the audience the transformative impacts of technology related to digital threats to democracy. Following these presentations, a number of possible storylines will emerge based on the key digital trends under discussion. Audience members will be called upon to examine possible societal outcomes for a number of potential futures.

These lightening talks will frame a discussion on digital threats to democracy and the role of evidence- based policy making to address the associated risks and opportunities to democratic processes in the digital age. This session provides an excellent opportunity for cross-sectoral dialogue and insights related to policy implications on these critical issues with a view to imagining our digital futures.