The 2025 federal budget and its implications for research, higher education and public policy

During this session, Julie St-Pierre and Kevin Page provided an illuminating analysis of the most recent federal budget in order to shed light on its main measures and their repercussions on research and higher education. They also discussed the issues involved in maintaining Canada’s academic sovereignty and on the importance of measures that seek to attract and retain top talent, which are essential to the vitality of Canada’s research ecosystem and competitiveness. Their complementary perspectives generated an enriching and stimulating conversation on the challenges and opportunities that this federal budget presents for both academia and public decision-makers.

Kevin Page
Founding President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD) at the University of Ottawa

Julie St-Pierre
Vice-President, Research and Innovation at the University of Ottawa
 

What Role Can Humanities and Social Sciences Play in Advising Government and Shaping Public Policy?

During this session, professors Kelly Bronson and Jason Millar shared their thoughts and real-world experience related to working with government representatives. Other topics on the agenda included what role researchers can play in the dialogue between academia and decision-makers as well as how the social sciences and humanities can promote more inclusive, informed, responsible policy.

Kelly Bronson
Canada Research Chair in Science and Society and Associate Professor, School of Sociological and Anthropology Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

Jason Millar
Canada Research Chair in Ethical Engineering of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering

Different ways of working with government in research

The session provided insights into working with government representatives to improve public policy, with speakers Professor Patrick Leblond, associate professor and CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and Public Policy at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and Kathryn Moore, uOttawa director of government relations. Professor Leblond discussed working with government and public servants, drawing on years of experience. Ms. Moore focused on building connections with government, both as a government relations expert and as a former government staff member.

Patrick Leblond
Associate Professor and CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and Public Policy at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Kathryn Moore
Director of Government Relations at the University of Ottawa
 

How researchers can advise government representatives

The session explored how to advise government representatives and how to position oneself for such opportunities. Professor Roland Paris, Director of uOttawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, shared insights from his experience advising government officials and working in government. Professor Céline Castets-Renard, University Research Chair on Accountable Artificial Intelligence in a Global Context and professor at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, discussed her experience advising the government in parliamentary committees and working in international organizations.

Céline Castets-Renard
Research Chair on Accountable Artificial Intelligence in a Global Context, Full Professor at the CLTS and in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section

Roland Paris
Professor of International Affairs and Director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa
 

Researchers engaging government during and after an election

The session discussed navigating relationships with the federal government with an election on the horizon and a possible change in government. Michael Wernick, uOttawa’s Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management and former Clerk of the Privy Council, shared his insights from a government perspective on what researchers should consider when forming relationships or working with government during and after an election. Professor Elizabeth Dubois, uOttawa’s University Research Chair in Politics, Communication and Technology, professor at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, and associate professor in the Department of Communication in the Faculty of Arts, shared her experiences as a researcher who interacted with government during an election and analyzed the impact of the 2019 election on the digital ecosystem and civic engagement.

Elizabeth Dubois
uOttawa’s Research Chair in Politics, Communication and Technology, Professor at the CLTS and in the Faculty of Arts

Michael Wernick
Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management at the University of Ottawa and Canadian public sector leader
 

Experiences of researchers as scholars-in-residence in the federal government