Organized by, S&T Policy Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada,Government, Jen Collette
A number of key elements must be met to mobilize science to address end-user needs, including the fostering of relationships between science researchers, funders, mobilizers, and end users, including local communities and the general public. This panel will report on the opportunities and challenges of linking science and policy, using the work to develop a proposed pan-Canadian oil spill research Network of Expertise as one example.
Oil spills on land or sea are thankfully rare but nevertheless potentially disastrous events, whose negative impacts on ecosystems and communities can be felt for years to come. Successful prevention, preparedness, response and remediation is the work of many government departments as well regulatory agencies and boards, involving also successful cooperation of academia, industry, NGOs and the affected communities. Following a recommendation stemming from the Tanker Safety Expert Panel Phase I Report, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has been engaging stakeholders on establishing a potential pan-Canadian oil spill research Network of Expertise. The proposed Network of Expertise would take a multi-sectoral approach in an effort to better link marine oil spill research to end user needs in support of smarter, faster response. Stakeholders recognize that the timely mobilization of science to inform policy, regulations development, and which address end user needs will require shared objectives such as improved environmental outcomes in the event of a marine oil spill.
Presentations in this panel will introduce the history and process behind the design of the Network of Expertise (Collette), and outline the main scientific challenges facing research in oil spill response, as well as provide examples of evidence-based decision in informing spill response in hypothetical but realistic scenarios (Brown, TBC). One paper will outline potential policy implications affecting research across governmental departments (TBD), and another paper will address challenges of a policy of openness and transparency of scientific research to the public from a social sciences perspective (Stewart). Finally, one paper will offer perspectives on the end use of such a Network of Expertise on the part of local communities with a role in spill planning, preparedness, response and recovery (McPherson).
