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Canadian Science Policy Fellowship 2020–21 connects 19 researchers with government offices to support critical policy decisions
Ottawa, ON — Starting this fall, 19 researchers are undertaking one-year placements in participating government offices across Canada as part of the 2020–21 Canadian Science Policy Fellowship (CSPF). With diverse expertise ranging from anthropology to computer science, fellows will work on the development of policy-based solutions to key issues faced by Canadians.
Since its launch in 2016, CSPF has matched 95 fellows with hosts across Canada. Through the fellowship, accomplished PhD holders receive training in public policy while applying their academic training, critical thinking, and analytical skills to support evidence-informed decision-making that addresses policy challenges within their government agencies and departments.
The program has also proven to be an effective career path for PhDs transitioning from academia to industry. For example, 2019–20 fellow Anna Slavina — who holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto — was recruited to be the director of a newly created Data Science unit in the Department of Central Services of the Government of Manitoba as a result of her work during the CSPF. She now leads a team responsible for developing Manitoba’s data analytics strategy.
The recipients of the 2020–21 Canadian Science Policy Fellowship are:
- Adrian Herod, Dalhousie University
- Hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Asif Iqbal, McGill University
- Hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Bereket Isaac, University of Waterloo
- Hosted by Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Bryony McAllister, University of Toronto
- Hosted by Transport Canada
- Catarina Ferreira, Castilla-La Mancha University (Spain)
- Hosted by Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Claude Fortin, Simon Fraser University
- Hosted by Ville de Montréal, Service du développement économique
- Ellen Gute, University of Toronto
- Hosted by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Garret Munch, Western University
- Hosted by the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Jason Flindall, University of Lethbridge
- Hosted by BC Ministry of Health
- Joseph Stinziano, Western University
- Hosted by Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Julian Campisi, York University
- Hosted by Defence Research and Development Canada
- Julianne Yip, McGill University
- Hosted by Defence Research and Development Canada
- Mary-Rose Bradley-Gill, McGill University
- Hosted by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Matteo Bernabo, McGill University
- Hosted by National Research Council of Canada
- Shweta Ganapati, University of Maryland, College Park (U.S.)
- Hosted by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Sophia Lavergne, University of Toronto
- Hosted by Public Health Agency of Canada
- Tayyaba Jiwani, University of Toronto
- Hosted by Ontario Ministry of Health, Digital Health Division
To learn more about the 2020–21 CSPF fellows, read their biographies.
Quotes:
John Hepburn, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs
“At Mitacs, we have always believed that research is the key to transforming policy challenges into solutions, which has proven to be even more important in the current global landscape. As we strive to build bridges between academia and policy-makers, we are delighted to announce a new cohort of the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship. This work has only been possible thanks to the ongoing support of our partners, especially the Government of Canada.”
Anna Slavina, Director of Data Science, Department of Central Services, Government of Manitoba, and former CSPF fellow
“Participating in the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship and coming to Manitoba was by far the best career move I have ever made — it is a wonderful and supportive environment with unparalleled opportunities for career advancement and intellectual growth. We are working on inserting evidence and data directly into policy and program development and have a unique opportunity to bridge science and policy.”
About Mitacs:
- Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.
- Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
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