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A Guide for Science and Policy Managers

APPENDIX 8 - TABLE FROM CCMD ROUNDTABLE REPORT

(Creating Common Purpose: The Integration of Science and Policy in Canada’s Public Service)

An Overview of Moving from the Present to the Ideal

PRESENT

TRANSITION

IDEAL

Issues at the Interface of Science and Policy

Conflicting science and public service value systems and differences in conceptual models between the groups.

Communication barriers resulting from differences in language and lack of opportunities for dialogue between science and policy.

Misunderstanding surrounding the science and policy processes.

Difficulties in sustaining team and multidisciplinary work resulting from limitations in science capacity.

 

Cornerstones to Common Purpose and Integration

Informing about roles and fostering a common purpose for science and policy communities.

Organising science/policy work teams around the resolution of key issues.

Providing training and development opportunities with exposure to science or policy processes and issues.

Recognizing and rewarding science contributions to policy work, and policy contributions to science work.

 

Tools, Strategies and Approaches

Review, discuss and publicise roles for science – and policy.

Share information in an iterative process between science and policy.

Communicate around specific issues in an institutionalised process.

Reallocate staff capacity to new teams and research areas using incentives.

Promote development such as job shadowing for science and policy positions.

Educate scientists about the policy process and issues, and vice versa.

Provide opportunities and incentives for work exchanges between science and policy.

Interpret research scientist promotion requirements to recognize contributions to policy development.

Communicate expectations to science and policy groups.

Benefits

For the science community:

Increased credibility

Increased recognition

Increased trust in policy people

Improved morale

Increased satisfaction

For the policy community:

Increased trust and understanding of science

More proactive policy decisions

More timely policy responses

More effective, robust solutions

For organizations:

Better workplace atmosphere Increased value for money on science investments

Increased relevance of science Better public policy

For the public:

Increased credibility of science Increased confidence in government decision making

Increased support of federal science


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