#NextGen: Be Bold, Be Brave: Join a Canadian Science Policy Conference Panel!

Are you a science student, trainee or young scientist? Have your say this year on matters at the crossroads of science, policy and society at CSPC 2019. Be your own advocate!

Across the world, young people are essential partners in building just and peaceful societies. As UNESCO acknowledges, they have “the creativity, the potential and the capacity to make change happen—for themselves, for their societies, and for the rest of the world” (UNESCO, 2019).

Science & Policy Exchange is a Montreal-based organization that is putting this philosophy into action. As a non-profit advocacy group run by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, Science & Policy Exchange amplifies the student voice in evidence-based decision-making, and engages and informs students and the public on issues where science and policy meet.

In 2018, 16% of attendees at the 10^th Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC) were young scientists. The group would like to see that number rise, so if you’re a young scientist, get involved! By networking with representatives from academia, industry, non-profit organizations and government at CPSC, you can make a difference in:

• equity, diversity and inclusion;
• northern perspectives;
• science literacy and communication; and
• science policy.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

CSPC promotes gender equity in science and policy—and with 57 percent of 2018 speakers being female, it seems to be succeeding. At the 2018 meeting, Mary-Rose Bradley-Gill, co-president of Science & Policy Exchange, spoke about how science policy can improve equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Despite evidence that diversity strengthens research, women and minorities still face barriers in science. This issue needs to be addressed systematically and structurally within universities, granting councils and the research community. Trained EDI experts should be involved at all levels. To that end, programs like Athena SWAN (UK) and SEA Change (US) are incentivizing and recognizing institutional transformation in support of diversity. The first draft of a “made-in-Canada” Athena SWAN charter was released on February 11, 2019, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

To make a real difference, the education sector must also get involved by targeting families, schools and society. A great example is SHAD, which empowers high school students to become leaders through a one-month STEM-focused summer camp and offers scholarships to ensure youth of all backgrounds can apply. 

Northern perspectives

CSPC 2018 also offered panels on science policy challenges in the North, with a focus on Indigenous perspectives. These discussions emphasized the need for research and policy to be conducted in the North by the North. As recommended by UNESCO’s Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, there is a need to address the ethics of science and research integrity. Researchers must understand the role that past trauma continues to play. Reconciliation can help break down some of the barriers that are stopping Northern students from pursuing education.

One way to achieve this is to uphold the National Inuit Strategy on Research. As well, the next generation of northern researchers needs support, funding and training. Engagement with local communities is key to creating meaningful, respectful, long-lasting relationships.

Science literacy and communication

To strengthen science’s link to democracy, the science conversation should be expanded to more diverse audiences. “Artful Science” is one example of how to do this: the initiative arranges exhibits of colourful artwork made from cutting-edge research (such as a close-up of spinal cord neuron cells) at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Another example is Science Meets Parliament, a CSPC initiative that connects scientists with policy-makers.  

Initiatives like these are critical because public lack of science literacy can be dangerous. For example, a panel organized by the Stem Cell Network revealed the existence of dozens of illegitimate stem cell therapy clinics advertising miracle treatments—a hazard to anyone lacking the tools to assess their claims.

The good news is that at CSPC 2018, the next generation of scientists showed strong communication skills and set themselves ambitious goals. For example, Science Sam, Free Style Socials and Science Slams all took science out of academia and onto social media platforms to engage the public.

Science policy

Science & Policy Exchange was also proud to count its co-president, Tina Gruosso, as a speaker on the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) panel. The panel highlighted ways for the next generation to get involved in research governance and science policy. For example:

• At the Comité Intersectorial Étudiant (CIÉ), student reps sit on the boards of Quebec funding agencies and advise the province’s Chief Scientist.

• Science & Policy Exchange is driven by student and postdoctoral volunteers who “take the stage” and voice the opinions and concerns of the next generation of researchers.

• Science Outside the Lab North provides amazing opportunities for early career scientists to learn about science, policy and their impacts on society.

Panel members also called for students and organizations to stitch the next-generation science policy network together to strengthen its voice in Canada.

In 2019, one focus of CSPC will be dedicated to “Science and the Next Generation.” See you there!