In October 2010, two student societies at McGill created a first annual Science and Policy Exchange. The SPE objective was to provide an ongoing local forum for policy dialogue regarding science and engineering in the province, in Canada and around the world. It would focus on ensuring the voices of students and postdoctoral fellows in the growing science policy discourse.

With welcome remarks from McGill’s Principal and the federal Minister of Industry, the October conference featured speakers on creativity and commercialization, energy, economy and environmental sustainability, including the NDP Green Party leader, and a former health minister of Québec who was to become the Québec Premier in 2014. Closing remarks were provided by a Montreal federal M.P. and former astronaut. It was an auspicious start to a unique experiment with students leading the way.

Ten years later, the SPE has shown how students can indeed make a difference in stimulating a Canada-wide dialogue around the growing intersections of knowledge, policy and the public. The student-run, non-profit group has developed a large network over the decade and continues to influence policy debate across the country and elsewhere. From providing white papers on STEM education to science cafés on sexual harassment and gender barriers in STEM, to mounting petitions in support of the Naylor report and holding conferences on science diplomacy, plastics in the environment, and encouraging students to get out the vote for elections, the SPE is constantly evolving.

SPE has led to spin-offs in other universities and its model has been replicated in an international setting. It continues to be aware of the latest and emerging policy issues including mental health, systemic racism, and for the forthcoming federal budget submission has called for inputs on the subject of EDI. Indeed, the equitable and inclusive participation of the next generation in Canada’s fast-changing knowledge landscape will be critical for shaping a diverse and talented workforce throughout the Canadian society and economy as we move to the ‘next normal’.

N.B. The author is a Board member of the SPE

By Paul Dufour