Developments in UK science policy
International Science Policy Panelist
Professor Ben Martin, SPRU, Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex
Professor Martin will outline some of the key developments on UK science policy over the last 10-15 years, what was driving them, and what effects they have had.

The application of science to the development and implementation of policies on avian and pandemic influenza: A view from the United Nations Headquarters
International Scientist Panelist
Dr. David Nabarro, Senior United Nations System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza
How can science inform policy in relation to a threat to Canadians that is – at the same time – a global threat? The first focus will be on the role of science in technical, institutional, economic and political dimensions of policy within Canadian institutions. The second focus must be on the application of science to influenza issues within a number of different countries. The third focus will be on options for establishing scientific agendas and multi-centre research initiatives within an intergovernmental forum (eg the World Health Organization) and the challenges of ensuring adequate finance for this science. The fourth focus will be the potential value of inter-governmental agencies in leading the strategic application of science to global issues in international health and development – and the importance of organizational synergy, interdisciplinary working and a focus on results as basic principles for effective inter-disciplinary working. The final focus will be on the difficulties with ensuring this strategic synergy in practice: the opportunities that will be realized if we do better and the risks we all have to face if we are not able to do so.

Science policy: An Australian perspective
International Professional Association Panelist
John Vines, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia
The presentation will outline the science policy development mechanisms in Australia and identify the policy priorities currently in place in Australia and likely policy initiatives to address emerging issues. The paper will also outline a “foresighting” study used to inform the policy development process.

Public geoscience: Examples of the benefits of sharing practical, relevant knowledge
Government/Science Panelist
Dr. David Boerner, Director General, Central and Northern Canada Branch, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Sharing new knowledge is a critical means of turning limited resources into economic, environmental and societal gains. However, such benefits can only accrue if the ideas and knowledge are widely accessible, the ideas are relevant to resolving existing challenges and those receiving new ideas are capable of exploiting them.

To illustrate, consider the example of how public policy objectives can be achieved through furnishing public geoscience information. The occurrence of mineral deposits, hidden groundwater aquifer resources or earthquake hazards can only rarely be observed directly and the accessible evidence for such determinations is generally hugely limited. Hence, it becomes essential to add constraints through robust scientific paradigms to make robust, testable predictions. For example, the public knowledge that certain specific, rare minerals are associated with the geological processes that emplaced diamonds at the earth's surface can be combined with an understanding of ice flow directions from glaciations to identify trails to hidden diamond deposits. When this concept was made publicly accessible, the private sector made large investments in diamond exploration in Canada resulting in substantial new wealth for Canada's north.

While just one example, generating public geoscience knowledge related to minerals has been remarkably successful suggesting that, on average, one dollar of public geoscience investment leverages direct mineral exploration industry investment of $5, and eventual in-ground value exceeding perhaps $125. Similarly, although more complicated to value economically, environmental and societal benefits also result from the public geoscience by providing the information required for establishing stewardship over groundwater resources, reducing risk from natural hazards, or helping to protect the environment and human health. While many examples can be marshaled to support the case for supporting public science, it is important to recognize that more is required than just the mere creation of novel ideas or paradigms.

Ensuring the ideas remain publicly accessible, the relevance of the knowledge and the existence of the societal capacity to exploit the knowledge are equally important, although sometimes given less prominence. In short, rather than relying on a strategy of hope, purposeful steps need to be taken to ensure that new, relevant ideas that make a difference are created and that the capacity to use the ideas exists.

Building support for public science in Canada:
A science policy ethic
Policy Panelist
Dr. Marc Saner, Executive Vice-President and Director of Assessments, Council of Canadian Academics
In my paper, I will apply a lesson learned from environmental ethics to the context of science policy. The protection of an entity – be that the natural environment or the scientific enterprise – will only take place once it is considered by decision-makers to represent a value. A practical issue arises, however. If an entire system is judged to represent value, then how does one arrive at day-to-day decisions, which often will only affect part of the system or, worse, will benefit one part while harming another?

Half a century ago, Aldo Leopold proposed The Land Ethic, which provides criteria to distinguish those actions that are right from those that are wrong when dealing with the natural environment. His deceptively simple prescriptions have stood the test of time, both in academic philosophy and in applied environmental conservation.

In close analogy to Leopold’s system, I will argue that it is possible to adjudicate right from wrong actions by focusing on a small number of necessary and sufficient criteria. The emerging overarching ethical system not only provides an ethic for the broad field of science policy, it is also applicable to the parts within. In practice, it provides a foundation to justify the continued support of the scientific enterprise as an end-in-itself and a moral framework for decisions on public science.

Impact of urbanisation on inter-tidal invertebrates examined using field and lab experiments:
The case of Halifax Harbour
Government/Science Panelist
Dr. Jocelyne Hellou, Research Scientist, Organic Chemistry, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Studies regarding the environmental state of Halifax Harbour go back a few decades. However, research on the presence of organic contaminants and potential toxic effects on biota are recent. Our investigations have covered the concentrations and fingerprints of many chemicals in sediments and in inter-tidal mussels along with health indicators of the latter. A link was demonstrated between the presence of raw sewage discharges and stressed mussels, as indicated by the lipid content, condition indices, gonad development, sex ratio, survival time in air, and several biochemical markers of mussels’ fitness. Since sediments represent a sink for hydrophobic chemicals, and a sentinel benthic organism was not widely available throughout the harbour, the behavioural response of a model amphipod was examined in the laboratory to assess the quality of that habitat. These exposures established that amphipods preferred pristine sediments, and avoided different proportions of surface harbour sediments mixed with reference sediments. An escape response was also observed with mud snails exposed to harbour sediments. Contaminants measured in sediments, mussels and/or amphipods included: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) derived from combustion and fossil fuel sources; a faecal marker; a hormone; metals; a pharmaceutical and industrial products. More impacted mussels and amphipods accumulated higher levels of PAH, also representative of the cocktail of lipophilic substances found near sewage discharges. Our data along with earlier studies of the water circulation and currents were used in the assessment of the location of new sewage treatment plants. The tools used to assess this ecosystem’s health proved useful but need further refinement in order to protect this and other aquatic environments for future generations. Continued study of ecosystem recovery in Halifax Harbour during the next decade due to improved waste management practices represents a timely opportunity to showcase a successful application of integrated science with obvious benefit to the wider public.

Enhancing global capacity in the surveillance, prevention, and control of chronic diseases: Seven themes to consider and build upon Government/Science Panelist
Dr. Bernard Choi, Senior Research Scientist, Public Health Agency of Canada
Rationale: Chronic diseases are now a major global health problem not only in developed but also in developing countries. Although chronic diseases are non-communicable at the disease level, they are readily transferable at the risk factor level. With increasing human progress and technological advance, the global epidemic of chronic diseases will become an even bigger threat to global health.

Methods: Based on their own experiences and publications, and literature review, the authors contributed ideas and working examples to help enhance the global capacity in chronic diseases surveillance, prevention and control. In particular, new non-traditional, innovative ideas and solutions were sought.

Major Results: Ideas and working examples to help enhance the global capacity in chronic disease surveillance, prevention and control were collected, and grouped under seven themes, concisely summarized under the acronym “SCIENCE” – Strategy, Collaboration, Information, Education, Novelty, Communication, and Evaluation.

Major Conclusions/Implications: The art of “SCIENCE”, and especially the new non-traditional innovative ideas that the authors have experienced or read about in their work, can help enhance the global capacity in chronic disease surveillance, prevention and control. They can help achieve the new World Health Organization global goal of reducing chronic disease death rates by two percent annually, generate more new ideas, and ultimately bring global chronic diseases under greater control.

Independent scientific advice
Science Panelist
Dr. Michael Borgas, Scientist, Marine and Atmospheric Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia
Modern governments face issues that need independent scientific advice. This is essential for good evidence-based policy making. How this occurs today is often not transparent, is clouded by vested interests, or is simply wrongly understood. For example, it is important to know the difference between academic freedom, scientific freedom, scientific excellence and independent science. The latter is an important public function which requires discipline, a commitment to socializing and sharing of science, long term continuous validated and shared data, and underpinned with technical excellence. It emphasises duplication, open minds, open review, and the building of social capital like trust. Its resource base needs to be free from vested interests. In contrast, modern science-excellence emphasizes a ranking of individuals based on novelty, recognition from peers and financial backers, and publications or patents not available to the public. While science excellence and independence often go hand in hand, these dual aspirations require different kinds of nurturing. The history of CSIRO is an interesting illustration of the interaction between government and independent scientific advice. This talk discusses Science-in-Government and argues for the renewal of public institutions, based on a mission for scientific independence. This would be a valuable and effective way to socialize science for human sustainability.

Invasive alien species of beetles from Northern Asia-Pacific Region: Proactive work through early detection and international collaboration
Government/Science Panelist
Dr. Vasily Grebennikov, Research Scientist,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The problem of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has received significant attention from the federal government. This is reflected in the 2005 budget, which provides $85 million over a five year period to minimize the risk of IAS to the Canadian environment, economy and society.

Invasive alien species of phytophagous beetles pose a major threat to Canadian plant resources. These beetles arrive in Canada from abroad, become established, and attack trees and other plants causing significant economic losses. Having no natural enemies, they out-compete native species and rapidly increase in number of individuals. Asian Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) and Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) are the most widely publicized among the recently established IAS of beetles.

Many of the recent IAS originate from Asia, particularly from the People’s Republic of China, Canada’s second largest trading partner (after the USA). China has between 5 and 10 thousand species of phytophagous beetles, the majority of which are potentially invasive in Canada. The main challenge is that many of these species are poorly or not at all known, and, therefore, cannot be reliably identified when intercepted, or found in Canada.

A capacity-building program is implemented to recognize and identify phytophagous beetles from the Northern Asia-Pacific Region posing a risk to Canadian plant resources. This includes sampling the phytophagous beetles in their native habitat for morphological and DNA studies. Voucher specimens are deposited into the Canadian National Collection of Insects, the largest national reference source in entomology. The program has strong links with the scientists in the region, mainly in China, thus utilizing their existing research capacity. We intend to train at least one scientist from the region at the postdoctoral level through the Visiting Fellowship program to ensure an ongoing synergistic relationship with our international partners. As a result of this program we will enhance the capacity of CFIA to identify IAS of phytophagous beetles. This will increase the CFIA’s efficiency in carrying out its mission in safeguarding food, animals and plants to improve the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment and economy.

Building stronger science – Policy links:
Common sense for common purpose
Academic Panelist
Dr. Arthur May, President Emeritus, Memorial University
cientific research is undertaken in government to inform public policy, to support regulation and to add to the store of human knowledge (usually in areas of particular interest). Some research is performed for special reasons such as national security. Governments also fund most university research, and significant amounts in the private sector.
To understand what we do and why we do it, we must understand and accept the continuum of “fundamental-mission oriented-applied’ – the route from discovery to application. There should be a presence across the spectrum, though the vast bulk of research in government should be mission oriented.
Scientists in government will have less freedom than those in universities, and more than those in the private sector, though this should not imply less freedom to publish or otherwise communicate scientific results (except in narrowly defined areas). Scientists who have an interest in interpreting science for public policy should be encouraged and supported, and brought fully into the public policy process, permanently in some cases.
Scientists in government should not become public champions of the application of their findings (having published them). In my view this is one of the fundamental restraints of being employed by government, and those who do not accept this restraint should not continue in government service.

Integrated federal S&T responses to national challenges: A blueprint for action
Government/Science Panelist
Helen Joseph, Director, Oceanography and Climate Branch, Oceans Science – Canadian Hydrographic Services
In September 2005 a group of scientists from every federal science-based department met for 10 days to identify national challenges facing Canada that would benefit from an integrated scientific response. They proposed steps to support a culture of science and technology (S&T) integration within Canada. After this report was delivered a more detailed plan was developed. This plan provides a blueprint to develop integrated responses to national challenges. This document outlines a four-phase multi-step process to develop those components needed to respond to any challenge and maps how to set them in place to construct a fully-functioning, dynamic federal S&T engine to serve Canadians in responding to challenges.

Regardless of the form of the funding and governance model, the objective is to support a culture of integration amongst the various S&T players. Lessons learned from other integration initiatives show us that an effectively integrated plan holds to the following principles:

• a well-defined vision and goal statement;
• flexible, rationally-allocated funds;
• champions at senior levels;
• transparency through inclusion of all stakeholders;
• simple, logical, and flexible governance and management mechanisms;
• strong and regular communications;
• a long-term perspective and continuity;
• accountability mechanisms; and,
• rational pace.

There are three key components of an effectively integrated federal S&T response to national challenges:

1. Integrated knowledge and information and its dissemination.
2. Integrated management of infrastructure and capacity.
3. Integrated delivery of S&T.

These three components are inter-dependent: effective delivery of science cannot happen without the other two, and knowledge and information management and governance should not exist without the goals of supporting the science delivery. This proposal does not seek to provide specific technical or scientific answers to each challenge identified in the Beyond the Horizon workshop or in other fora. Rather it is a blueprint as to how to achieve better integration of S&T to develop a program to meet challenges faced by Canadians.

Science as a foundation for decision-making
Government/Policy Panelist
Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Deputy Minister,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Science and technology contribute substantially to Canada’s economic performance as well as to its social development. Whether it is the private sector, academia, government or civil society, S&T is central to the ability of organizations and individuals to reach their goals and fulfill their responsibilities.

A strong science and policy relationship is essential in a complex world where the role of government and its ability to exert its influence is increasingly important. Strong linkages exist:

• where policy is well informed by relevant science;
• where science is being undertaken to answer key policy questions;
• where science informs policy of emerging science-based issues; and,
• where policy asks the right questions of science.

Government must put in place appropriate mechanisms to bridge the gap that sometimes exists between policy and science as well as within the federal science community. Included are process tools, input mechanisms (advisory bodies and networks), environmental scans, bridge builders (advisors and brokers) and engagement (outreach and consultation) strategies.

At DFO, the creation of advisory bodies such as an external Science Advisory Council and an internal Science Management Board have been instrumental in putting science on the right track. Both of these advisory groups have representatives from the DFO science community.

The presentation will discuss a few of the many important initiatives the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has undertaken to ensure that the right science is done at the right time and that science and policy efforts are aligned. As well, reference will be made to the Federal S&T Enterprise Framework, which provides a picture of S&T with outcomes organized around five priorities or domains – Environment, Health, Energy, Economy, and Security and Defence. Developed by the federal ADM S&T Integration Board, the Enterprise Approach offers excellent potential to strengthen the linkages between S&T and policy.

Water and the Environment: The theme for this group is water and the environment. The presentation includes concrete examples where DFO works with federal science and other partners to address the cross cutting government priorities and issues that are of importance to the people of Canada.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): The integral role for science in ensuring that Canada is able to meet its commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an ideal example of policy and science working hand in hand.

Aquatic Invasive Species: Aquatic invasive species have already been responsible for significant devastation of some native fish species and habitats as well as some wild and cultured fisheries in Canada. DFO participates in joint research projects and advises both within and outside the department on policy implications.

Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment: Research has focused on the impacts of seismic survey operations on fish, invertebrates, marine turtles and marine mammals. Knowledge gained from this research was used to develop a Statement of Canadian Practice on the Mitigation of Seismic Noise in the Marine Environment.