Bridging research and policy at the 2024 CSPC Science Meets Parliament program

Theresa Pauly joins researchers and policymakers at the 2024 CSPC Science Meets Parliament program.

Last month, Theresa Pauly, assistant professor of gerontology and Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health, and Aging at Simon Fraser University attended the 2024 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) Science Meets Parliament program (SMP) at Parliament Hill in Ottawa from May 6-7, 2024. As a delegate, Pauly engaged with parliamentarians, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in Canada.

The SMP program is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the science and policy communities by creating an open dialogue. Each year, researchers from across Canada are invited to the Canadian Parliament to attend meetings with members of Parliament, Senators, and the Chief Science Advisor of Canada. This year, 47 researchers from across Canada met one-on-one with 59 Parliamentarians, in 118 one-on-one meetings. Delegates also had the opportunity to observe House and Senate committee meetings.

“The Science Meets Parliament (SMP) program, convened Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs and Vanier Banting Postdoctoral fellows from diverse backgrounds across the country. This program aimed to facilitate interactions between researchers in fields such as natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences, and parliamentarians, fostering a mutual understanding without predefined agendas. Specifically, we were advised to approach these meetings with an open mind and a focus on relationship-building rather than specific objectives,” says Pauly.

Reflecting on her experience, Pauly describes her time in Ottawa as insightful and thought provoking. “Undoubtedly, the most memorable aspect of SMP was the chance to engage with policymakers in one-on-one meetings. Personally, I had the privilege of meeting Members of Parliament from BC and Alberta, as well as a senator, who displayed genuine interest in my research. Our conversations spanned various topics, including men's mental health, issues surrounding long-term care, fostering social cohesion in communities to better prepare older adults for increasingly hot temperatures, and general shared interests. Furthermore, SMP 2024 provided a unique opportunity to interact with CRCs from diverse fields across the country, forging numerous new connections” says Pauly.

With the opportunity to build connections and engage with politicians and researchers across various disciplines, Pauly was able to share information about her own research and learn from other delegates and members of parliament. The experience of being a delegate in this program was incredibly valuable to Pauly.

“Engaging in this program provided me with invaluable insights into parliamentary procedures, offering a deeper understanding of the work and pressures faced by Members of Parliament. This comprehension is vital for scientists aiming to communicate effectively with policymakers. For example, I learned that it is important to pinpoint the level of trust in findings and to make enough room in any knowledge translation material to outline conclusions (or even better: put conclusions first, then back them up with a few facts, then return to conclusions),” exclaims Pauly.

Bridging the gap between research and policy involves a mutual understanding of what issues need to be addressed and what action needs to be taken to resolve these issues. As the work of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders become more intertwined, it will be important to create space for dialogue and communication between these groups. “Given the dynamic nature of political landscapes and the multitude of stakeholders involved, establishing relationships and trust with politicians is crucial. These connections facilitate meaningful contributions from science and ensure open channels for informing decision-making,” says Pauly.