Journalist Bootcamps, Symposiums, & Science Talks
The world faces a collection of urgent, interdependent challenges that are difficult to address with the public policy approaches of the past. Recent events have intensified a trend toward distrust of some traditional institutions. Effective approaches that maintain a focus on evidence to inform solutions to the highly complex and rapidly changing policy landscape are urgently required. We identify actionable policy directions that start from knowledge grounded in evidence.
鈥楥onversations that matter鈥� convenes scientific expertise, knowledge holders and public policy makers to develop policy solutions to our most pressing problems.
Through facilitated deliberative dialogues, we develop a shared understanding that moves beyond simply exchanging opinions or data. The dialogues are designed to find common ground through identifying shared values, interests, and goals. The outcome is better informed policies and decision-making through a more comprehensive understanding of both the issue and the stakeholders. Ultimately, the deliberative dialogues mobilize stakeholders to create concrete actions and solutions.
Contact Marc Fortin for more information聽marc.fortin [at] mcgill.ca
Wildfire mitigation | June 16-19, 2025
The Max Bell School of Public Policy organized a flagship gathering at the intersection of journalism and wildfire鈥攁 first-of-its-kind dialogue bringing together 20 leading journalists and 20 wildfire experts to reimagine how we tell one of the most urgent stories of our time. Organized in partnership with the Centre for Dialogue (Simon Fraser University), this event offers a rare opportunity to step outside institutional roles and engage in open, off-the-record conversation. By exploring the shifting paradigms of wildfire, the gaps and potential in current media narratives, and the power of collaborative storytelling to shape public understanding and action.
The explosive growth of satellite-generated data is fundamentally reshaping how governments approach risk assessment and management, creating both unprecedented opportunities and complex policy challenges that demand new frameworks for decision-making. While these advances promise earlier detection and faster response, they also raise fundamental policy questions about the implications of this new data for risk assessment, forest and built infrastructure management, wildfire mitigation, wildfire management, interagency coordination, resource allocation, and governance. This iteration of 鈥淐onversations that matter鈥� dialogues will explore these multi-dimensional challenges emphasizing policy approaches that blend technical analysis with decision-making to enhance risk understanding and mitigation strategies.
Science and Technology Policy for Impact from the United States Experience: Past, Present, and a little bit of Future | May 28, 2025
Kei Koizumi in conversation with Marc Fortin discussed nation鈥檚 socio-economic well-being and on its investment in science, technology, and innovation (STI). Yet decisions about how best to invest in STI 鈥� the precise mix of curiosity-driven versus mission-driven research 鈥� can be hotly contested. How does a nation make effective investments in STI in an era of political and economic upheaval and a rapidly changing geo-political landscape? Kei Koizumi, President Biden鈥檚 appointee at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), joined Dr Marc Fortin, Trottier Professor of Practice in Science Policy at 黑料网爆吃瓜, for a conversation exploring the role of science in driving industrial policy, climate policy, and other mission-oriented policies as well as science's role in decision-making in a world where political, economic, and climate risks are rapidly changing.
Science policy 101 | February 15, 2024
A one-day workshop for graduate students on understanding the science-policy landscape.
This is Why We Can鈥檛 Have Nice Things: How to get novel antimicrobials in Canada | November 23, 2023
Andrew Morris, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto and Medical Director, Sinai Health-University Health Network Antimicrobial Stewardship Program co-hosted with the 黑料网爆吃瓜 Antimicrobial Resistance Centre.
Annual Symposiums (2015-18)
The inaugural Symposium on Science and Public Policy took place in September 2015. The event featured presentations from Trottier Fellows Elena Bennett (School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences), Lea Berrang Ford (Geography) and Catherine Potvin (Biology), Jeff Mackenzie (Earth & Planetary Sciences), Tony Ricciardi (School of Environment and Redpath Museum) and Nancy Ross (Geography) who discussed the implications of their research on public policy.
Their presentations can be viewed
TISPP inaugural Symposium.
The 2016 Symposium examined the effect human activities have had on the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen footprints and their management.
The Symposium program is available here
The 2017 edition of the Symposium was held in Montreal on November 28, 2017 and highlighted the activities of the Trottier Fellows (Jeff McKenzie, Tony Ricciardi & Nancy Ross and Peter Douglas, Graham MacDonald, Mylene Riva & Adrien Vetta) and initiatives in Science and Public Policy.
The 2017 Symposium program is available here.
The 2018 annual Symposium on Science and Public Policy was held on November 2018 and explored the relationship of among science, public policy and the Canadian peat industry.
The Symposium program is available here.