Provincial policy school launches science and innovation research centre

The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), a joint venture between the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, has launched a new research centre aimed at increasing understanding about the policy and governance dimensions of science and innovation policy.

The opening of the Centre for the Study of Science and Innovation Policy (CSIP) was marked by events in Saskatoon (March 8) and Regina (March 13), with overwhelming support from government, industry and academia.

“Advances in science and innovation must be met by new thinking in the public, private and civil sectors,” says Kathleen McNutt, JSGS Executive Director. “Who better to take on the challenge, than the country’s first provincial policy school in a region known for its policy pioneers?”

With expertise in strategic assessment, societal engagement and support for decision-making, CSIP is concentrating its immediate efforts on so-called “wicked problems” related to bioscience and food policy, digital governance and policy analytics, energy policy, and health innovation policy.

"The emergence of scientifically advanced technologies and innovations fundamentally challenges the Canadian and global policy system,” says Peter Phillips, CSIP Director and JSGS Distinguished Professor. “Working with scholars and practitioners, CSIP is developing and adapting a set of modern policy tools that will assist society to optimize the uptake and use of new technologies generated by the research community. “

To date, CSIP has secured $7M in grants and other resources to advance its research mission and support graduate training over the next five years. These funds, previously awarded to the school, are from the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation ($2M) and the U of S Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) ($300,000), as well as $3.6 million from a Canada First Research Excellence Fund program awarded to the U of S and managed by GIFS. Private donations, in excess of $500,000, have also been secured from Regina philanthropist Bev Robertson.

“Sound policy and decision-making supports for the public, private and NGO sectors are imperative to ensuring that innovative research is making a global impact,” says Karen Chad, U of S Vice-President Research. “With CSIP’s help, we will continue to foster collaborative research and maximize adoption of innovations that will improve our economic prosperity and quality of life.”

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For more information, contact:
Erica Schindel
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
University of Saskatchewan campus
306-966-2663
Erica.schindel@usask.ca