SFU’s Elicia Maine recognized for advancing science innovation with CSPC Trailblazer Award

Simon Fraser University’s associate vice-president of knowledge mobilization and innovation (AVPKMI) Elicia Maine has received the 2022 Trailblazer Award (Innovation Policy) from the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC).

The award honours individuals who have demonstrated impact through leadership, vision, courage and commitment to the overall advancement of the science and innovation policy ecosystem, while blazing a trail and inspiring others to follow.  

Maine is recognized for her exceptional contributions to further Canadian research and innovation through advocacy, education and engagement. In 2015 she founded the SFU Beedie School of Business’ Invention to Innovation (i2I) program, which provides entrepreneurial skills training to STEM researchers. The program has enabled more Canadian science-based ventures and more innovation leaders in business, government and academia. In 2019, i2I expanded nationally in partnership with Mitacs to offer the Mitacs i2I Skills Training program to scientists and engineers from coast-to-coast.

Maine’s passion for innovation has helped propel SFU to a consistent top-three placement in the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) rankings. In 2022, SFU was named number one in the world for entrepreneurial spirit and Canada’s top university for innovation, according WURI.

As the inaugural AVPKMI at SFU, Maine continues to build capacity to support researchers and help them mobilize their discoveries through SFU Innovates. As an international expert in science commercialization and innovation policy, Maine serves on the Boards of Directors of Innovate BC, the Foresight Cleantech Accelerator, the Composites Knowledge Network and Circle Innovation. She is on the Advisory Boards for research, innovation and entrepreneurship of Princeton University, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the German-Canadian Materials Acceleration Centre and Mitacs Research Council. She also maintains an active speaking schedule and recently presented on Entrepreneurial Capabilities for Scientists at Princeton University.

“I am exceptionally proud of the career paths and innovation leadership of the alumni from the i2I and Mitacs i2I programs,” says Maine. "Additionally, I'm hugely grateful to the i2I faculty and staff, to our supporting partners and to the ecosystem of mentors who give of their time, resources and advice. We can further enable scientist innovators through supportive innovation policy, helping them to address global challenges by mobilizing their research.”

CSPC is the largest multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary forum on science, technology and innovation policy issues in Canada, and a major global forum. Maine accepted the award at their annual conference where she was also a moderator and panelist.

Learn more about innovation at SFU.