On September 23, 2011 in the McGill Faculty Club, the 2nd edition of the Science & Policy Exchange will take place.

The Science and Policy Exchange is an annual conference that assembles students and leaders in government, industry, research and the community for an exchange of ideas on science and policy issues affecting Quebec.

This year, the conference, open to the public, is organized around the theme "Quebec's Research Future: Economy and Society."

McGill's Vice-Principal Research & International Relations, Dr. Rose Goldstein, BSc'75, MDCM'79), and the House Leader of the Official Opposition, Outremont M.P. Thomas Mulcair BCL/ LLB '77), are among the distinguished speakers who will address current topics in Quebec's science policy debate:

"Who should fund research? Who should profit?"
"How does the university culture need to adapt to favour wealth generation?"
"How can we leverage our renewable energy to electrify public transport?"
"What is the value of our ecosystems? Is it ethical to put a dollar sign on nature?"
"What is possible and what is ethical in reproductive health technology?"

The Science and Policy Exchange is an annual conference that assembles students and leaders in government, industry, research and the community for an exchange of ideas on science and policy issues affecting Quebec.

For more information, contact conference chairs Ameur Manceur (Ph.D. Candidate, Plant Science) and Monika Rak (Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry) at info@dialogue-sp.ca

Program:

8:30AM-8:40AM: Welcome address
8:40AM-9:00AM: Opening Keynote
9:00AM-10:30AM: Funding: innovative sources of revenue for research
10:30AM-11:00AM: Coffee
11:00AM-12:30PM: Partnership: university, industry, and small business
12:30PM-2:00PM: Lunch
2:00PM-3:30PM: Simultaneous Panel 1: Energy: Quebec's energy independence
2:00PM-3:30PM: Simultaneous Panel 2: Biodiversity: ecosystem services and forestry
3:30PM-4:00PM: Coffee
4:00PM-5:30PM: Assisted Reproduction: legal, social and ethical implications
5:30PM-5:50PM: Closing Keynote
5:50PM-6:00PM: Closing remarks

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM-SUBJECT TO CHANGE