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CSBGU Seminar: Dr. Mehrdad Hariri, CEO & President of the Canadian Science Policy Centre
April 29, 2016 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
CSBGU and Departmental Seminar
Dr. Mehrdad Hariri
CEO & President of the Canadian Science Policy Centre
“Status of Science in Canada, New Frontiers of Science in Society”
Friday April 29, 2016 at 3:30-4:30pm
Ramsay Wright Building, Rm 432
Host: Cell and Systems Biology Graduate Union (CSBGU)
Abstract:
In this presentation Mehrdad Hariri will discuss the status of the science enterprise in Canada, especially in comparison with other nations. He will then address the new frontiers of science in society in the 21st century, along with the opportunities and challenges the scientific community is facing in these new frontiers.
The ever-changing nature of science, along with transformative technological advances and significant changes in societies around the world have all affected the nature of the interaction between science and society. Science today impacts every aspect of our society including the economy, public policy and politics, international affairs, social innovation, communications and more. How does science relate to politics and politicians? How does science relate to public policy, and what is the role of scientists in designing policies? Does science have any role in international affairs and diplomacy? How is science being communicated to various sectors of society, including the public at large?
The scientific community needs to be better prepared for the new frontiers that are transforming how science interacts with society. It is the younger generation of scientists that will play a crucial role in adapting to these changes. Are Canadian institutions ready for this transformation and have we built training capacities for the next generation to take on this role? What career opportunities exist for our students to contribute to this effort? These are some of the questions that Mehrdad Hariri will explore in his presentation.
Background information on Dr. Hariri:
Mehrdad Hariri is the founder and CEO of the Canadian Science Policy Centre, a not-profit virtual HUB for science technology and innovation policy in Canada. He founded the national annual Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC), a national multidisciplinary forum dedicated to the Canadian Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy discussions, engaging hundreds of organizations from various sectors and across the country to discuss the most pressing issues in Canadian Science and Innovation Policy. Dr. Hariri has numerous publications and opinion pieces in various media outlets, and regularly appears in media as a commentator on science policy issues. He studied in the fields of Veterinary Medicine, Cell Biology and Functional Genomes, in Tehran, Montréal, and Toronto universities, and performed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health.
Please go to the following website for more information: www.sciencepolicy.ca