Science and Policy: Should Scientific Information Have Pre‑eminence in Public Decision‑Making?

Daniel Cressey has worked in science journalism since the turn of the millennium, reporting on almost every aspect of science at one point or another. But, he has always returned to research policy. Now working as Deputy Editor at Research Professional – publishers of Research Fortnight and Research Europe – he oversees news, features, and comment from a global team. Prior to joining Research Professional in November 2017, he spent 10 years at the journal Nature in a variety of editorial roles. He holds graduate degrees in journalism from the University of the Arts, London, and history of science from Imperial College London, and may even remember some of the chemistry he was taught as an undergraduate at the University of Bristol.

Daniel Cressey Thinks Policy Matters
"Public policy matters because it shapes just about everything else. Do you care about healthcare? Do you care about the economy? About scientific discoveries? About immigration? About sport? Do you want to see any change in how these things operate? Then you should care about public policy."

Jeffrey Hutchings is Professor of Biology and Killam Memorial Chair in Fish, Fisheries and Oceans at Dalhousie University. His work centres on the life histories and evolutionary ecology of fishes. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2015 and Foreign Fellow to the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in 2018. He has chaired four national committees, including Canada’s national science advisory body on species at risk (COSEWIC). He has appeared before several parliamentary committees, served as external advisor to the Auditor General of Canada, and advised Loblaw Companies Ltd. on the sourcing of sustainable seafood.

Jeff Hutchings Thinks Policy Matters
"Policy matters tremendously from a science-advisory perspective. It provides one of exceedingly few means of discerning government thinking and guides for action on the role of science in decision-making."

Prior to joining StFX in 2015, Dr. Isnor held a variety of science policy and research administrative positions with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the International Development Research Centre, the National Research Council, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Privy Council Office, and the Nunavut Research Institute.  He holds a doctorate in Science and Technology Policy Studies (University of Sussex, UK); Master’s in Environmental Studies (Dalhousie); and B. Sc. (Hons, Mount Allison University). 

Richard Isnor Thinks Policy Matters
"Policy provides a basis for the organizational structures, procedures and actions that are the result of decision-making.  Policy matters because all leaders and organizations require mechanisms to translate decisions into actions.  Policy also matters because it is (usually) codified and provides a basis for continual improvement through assessment, comparison and evaluation."

Megan Leslie began as head of World Wildlife Fund Canada in December of 2017 after nearly two years at the organization, first as a consultant on oceans governance, then as head of ocean conservation.   Before joining WWF, Megan was a Member of Parliament representing Halifax for two terms during which she was deputy leader of the official Opposition, environment critic and vice-chair of the government committee on environment and sustainable development. In Ottawa, Megan had plastic microbeads added to the list of toxic substances under the Environmental Protection Act.  She also expedited the creation of Sable Island National Park Reserve.

Megan Leslie Thinks Policy Matters
"Policy matters because I want to live in an equitable and sustainable world, and to achieve that we need to undertake projects in common. Policy allows us to undertake those common projects and make decisions as a society in a way that is legitimate, participatory and equitable."