Rebuilding the Science-Society Relationship to Address Grand Challenges: A Confluences Action-Dialogue
A discussion with team leads of the ISSP research project: Beyond Endless Frontiers
Oct 24, 2024 — 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
On Thursday, October 24th, the Institute for Science, Society and Policy (ISSP) is hosted the first in a series of action dialogues featuring Dr. Jeff Kinder, Rhonda Moore, and Dr. Sandra Schillo, project leads of the ISSP research project: Beyond Endless Frontiers.
About the Event
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the world facing many grand challenges, we need to reimagine the relationship between science and society.
The University of Ottawa’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy (ISSP) has launched a collaborative knowledge mobilization initiative – Confluences: Navigating where science, society and policy come together in Canada. Taking a strategic, innovative approach, Confluencescombines direct engagement of decision-makers across multiple sectors with the co-creation of insights to address grand challenges.
This first event in a series of action-dialogues explored the findings of a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant project titled Beyond Endless Frontiers. Themes include building public trust and public engagement, advancing inclusive innovation, considering Indigenous knowledge, skills, and mission-directed research. The project leads and expert discussants offered fresh perspectives on building a science-society relationship that reflects our times.
Dr. Jeff Kinder
Speaker
Jeff has almost 35 years of experience in government science, technology and innovation policy in the US and Canada. His US experience includes the National Science Foundation, the National Academies and the Naval Research Laboratory.
In Canada, Jeff has worked at Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada and the Council of Science and Technology Advisors. In 2014, he supported the External Advisory Group on Government Science and Technology (the Knox Panel). More recently, he led the Federal S&T Secretariat supporting the Minister of Science, the Deputy Minister Champion for Federal S&T and related initiatives. From 2017-2022, he created and served as Executive Director of the science and innovation area of practice at the Institute on Governance. He is now at the Council of Canadian Academies directing an assessment on the state of science, technology, and innovation in Canada.
At the University of Ottawa, Jeff is Executive-in-Residence at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy (ISSP) and an adjunct at the Telfer School of Management. Jeff is a member of the board of the Canadian Science Policy Centre and advisor to the Ottawa Science Policy Network. He holds a PhD in public policy, a Master’s in science, technology and public policy, and a BSc. in physics.
Rhonda Moore
Speaker
For almost 20 years, Rhonda Moore has worked at the intersection of communications, research, and policy analysis and development. At that intersection, Rhonda has sought out opportunities to build relationships, to connect people and ideas, and to promote evidence-informed decision making in plain language.
Prior to joining the IOG in May 2018, Rhonda worked for a variety of private, public, and non-profit organizations including the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (now Universities Canada), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the University of Ottawa, and the Public Policy Forum.
Rhonda is a member of the board of directors of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada. In 2017 she co-chaired the annual conference, and in 2020 she chaired the organization’s first virtual conference.
Rhonda has a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master’s degree in Science, Technology and Innovation studies from the University of Edinburgh, with distinction. Rhonda received the University of Edinburgh’s David Edge prize for her dissertation.
Dr. R. Sandra Schillo
Speaker
Sandra Schillo focuses her research on improved methodologies relating to the measurement of innovation, entrepreneurship and their impact.
Dr. Schillo has research and professional experience in the areas of science and technology, research and innovation management and entrepreneurship. Her professional work experience includes work completed for Industry Canada and many science based departments and agencies of the Canadian federal government.
Dr. Schillo completed her doctoral studies at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, University of Kiel, Germany. She obtained her Masters' degree in Engineering Management from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, majoring in corporate strategy and specializing in innovation management and technology transfer.