In this series, we invite experts to help build skills that scientists need to engage in the science-policy interface. Here are the workshops we have held to date.
May and June 2024
’24 Research at Work: Science Policy 101
Our 2024 Research at Work series focused on the theme of communication between the science and policy worlds. Our first event, featuring expert speakers Rose D’Souza and Jeremy Roberts, focused on advocating for science-based policy to policymakers, and the second workshop, featuring expert guest Charissa Levy, focused on writing effective policy briefs.
July 2023
’23 Research at Work: Science Policy 101
TSPN’s back-to-basics workshop series, Research at Work: Science Policy 101 took place: Thursday, July 13th and Thursday July 20th and concluded with an in-person networking social on Thursday, July 27th.
We learned from expert guests Dr. Jeff Kinder and Dr. Imogen Coe about how science impacts policy, and how policy impacts science.
May and June 2022
Research At Work 3: Science for Policy
The third and final workshop, Science for Policy, covered how science can impact government decision-making and inform policy. Workshop attendees heard from two expert speakers: Dr. Meghan Azad, Research Scientist and Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Dr. Elisabeth Galarneau, Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada. These experts shared their experiences and their unique lens on the process of bridging science with policy.
May and June 2022
Research At Work 2: Science and the Public
The second workshop, Science and the Public, covered how scientific knowledge, research and evidence is communicated with public audiences. We discussed the various science communication avenues and challenges such as sharing difficult information and combating misinformation. Workshop attendees learned from the experience of two expert speakers, Senator Dr. Stan Kutcher, Canadian Senator, psychiatrist and Professor, and Amanda Buckiewicz, science journalist at CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks.
May and June 2022
Research At Work 1: Policy for Science
The first workshop, Policy for Science, covered how science is governed and fostered in Canada, and specifically discussed the ways in which policymaking for science functions. The two expert speakers, Dr. Mary-Rose Bradley-Gill and Dr. Masha Cemma, shared their experience in working at NSERC and the Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada respectively.
February 23 2021
Open Science 101
We hosted Dr. Monica Granados (Policy Advisor at Environment and Climate Change Canada) to discuss the importance of open science and how to make science accessible. We thank the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Event Fund for sponsoring this event.
October 21 2020
The Role of Science in Public Policy
Dr. Maurice Bitran, Senior Fellow at the Munk School, discussed how scientists can impact policymaking. Participants took part in an activity focusing on finding a common language between scientists and policymakers.
February 27 2020
Evidence To Policy 101
In this workshop, we hosted Dr. Chelsea Rochman — an assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Ecology & Evolutionary Biology department. This workshop was possible thanks to funding support from the You’re Next Career Network and the University of Toronto Engineering Alumni Association.
November 28 2019
Media Relations 101
We hosted two Faculty of Medicine communications professionals: Liam Mitchell (Associate Director of Communications) and Gabrielle (Gabe) Giroday (Communications and Media Relations Specialist).
March 14 2019
Science Communication 101
With the generous support of the UTM Office of the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, we invited Sasha Weiditch (UTM PhD candidate; science communicator) to lead a workshop on how to make science accessible to a broad audience.
January 17 2019
Policy Writing 101
This workshop was led by Hema Vyas, a professional Policy Advisor. This event was made possible through funding from the ChemClub, and CICToronto.
November 13 2018
Science & Public Policy 101
Although, our invited workshop speaker Dr. Nicole Klenk (Professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto) was unable to attend on the day, her PhD student, Brian Pentz, stepped in and led this workshop. This workshop was possible thanks to our sponsors: the UofT Student Initiative Fund, the University of Toronto’s Chemistry Department, and the Chemical Institute of Canada — Toronto Section.
October 13 2018
Science Advocacy 101
Our first workshop featured Dr. Katie Gibbs, the Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy (E4D). This workshop was possible thanks to our sponsors: the UofT Student Initiative Fund, UofT ChemClub, and the Chemical Institute of Canada — Toronto Section.
Toronto Science Policy Network 