Canadian Science Policy Fellowship

https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/policy-fellowship/how-to-apply The fellowship application process occurs in two stages: Stage one: a potential host submits a policy project, appropriate for the advanced expertise of a PhD level researcher, to Mitacs no later than November 30, 2017. Eligible projects are then posted on the Mitacs website. Stage two: potential fellows (postdocs or Canadian faculty members) review and select the projects and submit their applications to Mitacs (deadline TBD). What to expect as a prospective fellow (PDF) Applications must be submitted through the fellow web form. One letter of support should address comments around the quality of your research work and experience. The other letter should focus more on your suitability for the program (for example, leadership experience and potential, communication skills, capacity to make connections between scientific research and broader economic, social, or political issues). If your references wish to submit their letters of support directly, they must email policyfellowship(at)mitacs.ca (deadline TBD). If you choose this option, ensure your references are aware of the deadline so that your application is complete and eligible for consideration. Adjudication and matching Mitacs administers the fellowship adjudication and matching through the following process: Reviewing eligibility of host and fellow applicants Providing a short list of applicants to host departments, who then interview and rank candidates Upon receipt of hosts’ rankings, matching applicants and hosts Fellowship cycle September–November: call for host department applications November–January: call for fellow applications February–April: Mitacs adjudicates applications and creates short list for hosts’ review May: Mitacs confirms fellowship placements and fellows prepare to relocate, if applicable September: fellowships begin, Mitacs hosts orientation session, and training program begins Twenty-one academic researchers participating in Canadian Science Policy Fellowship 10/25/2017 PhDs to support evidence-informed decision making in federal and provincial governments Ottawa, ON — Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and training organization, announces this year’s recipients of the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship. The initiative fosters relationships between government decision makers and academic researchers to help support policy challenges facing Canada. The Canadian Science Policy Fellowship sees accomplished PhD holders receive hands-on policy training while contributing their unique scientific expertise to government policymaking in 17 Ottawa and Victoria host offices starting this fall. The recipients of the 2017–18 Canadian Science Policy Fellowship: Federal cohort, Ottawa Steven Alexander, University of Waterloo Host: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Project: Exploring mechanisms of incorporating traditional and local ecological knowledge with science to understand aquatic ecosystems Daniel Cortés-Vargas, Université de Montréal Host: International Development Research Centre Project: Conducting strategic analysis for informing technology and innovation programming April Killikelly, New York University Host: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Project: Implementing a strategic framework for the international coordination of infectious disease emergencies Kelsey Lucyk, University of Calgary Host: Employment and Social Development Canada Project: Proposing and designing innovative approaches to promoting the Canada Learning Bond among low-income Canadians Catherine Middleton, Ryerson University Host: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Project: Optimizing evidence in communications policy Vivian Nguyen, Carleton University Host: Natural Resources Canada Project: Developing tools to support communicating science results that achieve public policy objectives Mohamed Rhouma, Université de Montréal Host: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Project: Developing a risk assessment model for hatchery premises related to human health Denys Shumakov, McMaster University Host: Health Canada Project: Investigating regulatory challenges surrounding the medical uses of 3D printing technology Cary Soares, University of Ottawa Host: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Project: Identifying and understanding what data skills can be used to enhance the management of scientific data Sherry Wasilow, Carleton University Host: Defence Research and Development Canada Project: Reviewing enhanced automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous decision making in military systems Provincial cohort, Victoria Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe, University of British Columbia Host: Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Project: Informing strategies and best practices for gathering and incorporating First Nations traditional ecological knowledge into decision-making frameworks Jessica Carriere, University of Toronto Host: Ministry of Children and Family Development Project: Ensuring the academic literature and best practice information is reflected in the planning and actions associated with achieving organizational culture shift Sara Elder, University of British Columbia Host: Ministry of Agriculture Project: Identifying opportunities to improve agricultural resilience to climate change in BC Maria Giammarco, University of Guelph Host: Public Service Agency Project: Applying behavioural sciences to public policy through the Behavioural Insights Group Emily Gray, University of British Columbia Hosts: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Emergency Management BC Project: Exploring how BC communities can better prepare for and mitigate the effects of emergency events through land use planning Kathryn Jastremski, University of Waterloo Host: Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Project: Developing improved tools for integrated resource decision making Natalie Linklater, Carleton University Host: Ministry of Agriculture Project: Investigating water infrastructure storage solutions for farmers in the face of climate change Duncan Low, Simon Fraser University Host: Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Project: Improving methodology and consistency for reporting on student financial aid Caelan Marrville, University of Alberta Host: Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Project: Generating insights from integrated data analysis to inform cross-sector policy issues Gillman Payette, University of Calgary Host: Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Project: Researching the expansion of non-degree credential programs for the BC post-secondary education system Jyoti Upadhyaya, University of Windsor Host: Emergency Management BC Project: Developing best practices for response actions to enact from an earthquake early warning alert Quotes: Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs “Through our Canadian Science Policy Fellowship, these researchers will have opportunities to experience first-hand the communication, collaboration, and capacity found in evidence-informed policy-making, while cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with their government hosts.” Loren Matheson, Science Advisor, Office of the Chief Science Operating Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency “It is with pleasure that CFIA is hosting two Canadian Science Policy fellows. This program is a fantastic opportunity for federal departments and agencies, not only to contribute to training highly qualified personnel as future evidence-informed policymakers, but also to create a versatile talent pipeline that can drive Canada’s innovation agenda.” Quick facts: The Canadian Science Policy Fellowship is made possible thanks to Professor Sarah Otto, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia; the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia; the University of Ottawa’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy; the University of Victoria; and the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship Advisory Council. Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization led by Canadian universities that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for more than 17 years. Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada. Links: To learn more about the Canadian Science Policy fellows, read the biographies of the Ottawa cohort and Victoria cohort. For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom