CCA appoints expert panel on enhancing national research infrastructure

Canada’s research infrastructure is essential to the future of science and innovation, economic prosperity, and well-being throughout the country. At the request of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, the CCA has formed an expert panel to support the federal government in optimizing Canada’s research infrastructure—from its national-scale scientific facilities to its digital platforms and collaborative networks—through evidence synthesis and strategic insights. Janet King, Chair of Polar Knowledge Canada’s Board of Directors and Vice-Chair of the Canadian Light Source’s Board of Directors, will serve as panel chair.

“A strategic understanding of Canada’s national research infrastructure is critical to meeting future challenges and opportunities,” said King. “With my fellow panelists, I look forward to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Canada’s current research infrastructure portfolio, and international best practices in research infrastructure planning and development.”

King will lead a multidisciplinary panel of experts in economic development, science and innovation policy, intergovernmental and interdisciplinary collaboration, organizational psychology, research and development funding, research infrastructure and impacts, data governance, and more. Together, panelists will answer the following question:

How can Canada optimize its national-scale research infrastructure, encompassing large-scale facilities, digital platforms, and collaborative networks, to effectively support current and future needs?

Learn more about the CCA’s national research infrastructure assessment.

The Expert Panel on Enhancing Canada’s National Research Infrastructure:

• Janet King (chair) Chair, Board of Directors, Polar Knowledge Canada; Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Light Source (Ottawa, ON)
• Andrew Applejohn, Executive Director, Programs, Polar Knowledge Canada (Yellowknife, NT)
• Frédéric Bouchard, C.Q., FRSC, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Montréal (Montréal, QC)
• Marcela Carena, Executive Director, Perimeter Institute (Waterloo, ON)
• Jodi Cooley, Executive Director, SNOLAB; Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy, Queen’s University (Lively, ON)
• Kathryn Graham, FCAHS, Professor of Research Impact Assessment, University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)
• Janet E. Halliwell, FRSC, Principal, J.E. Halliwell Associates Inc. (Salt Spring Island, BC)
• Natalie Harrower, Executive Director, Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN); McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)
• Gwen Phillips, Governance Strategist, Ktunaxa Nation, BC Data Champion (Ktunaxa Nation, BC)
• Eric Siegel, Chief Innovation Officer, Ocean Frontier Institute, Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS)
• Guillame St-Onge, Director, Institut des sciences de la mer – Université du Québec à Rimouski; Tier I Canada Research Chair in Marine Geology (Rimouski, Québec)
• John Womersley, Special Advisor, University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

Expert panel members serve as individuals and do not represent the views of their organizations of affiliation or employment.

To stay up to date on the progress of this and other CCA projects, sign up for our mailing list.