Perimeter Institute partners with CSPC 2024 to help guide science policy in Canada
Perimeter Institute is thrilled to be a key partner in the 16th annual Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC 2024) from November 20 to 22 in Ottawa.
This is the largest gathering of Canadian science policy experts, with more than 1,000 scientists, industry leaders and policy makers tackling pressing questions about science policy and innovation in our rapidly changing world.
“The theme of this year’s CSPC conference, Empowering Society: The Transformative Value of Science, Knowledge, and Innovation, is very close to this institute’s heart,” said Paul Smith, Perimeter’s Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director.
“At Perimeter, we have always viewed our role as not only advancing scientific research and training but also transforming society through science education and literacy,” Smith said. “This is even more important to us in 2025 as we celebrate our 25th anniversary by showcasing the importance of fundamental science during a cross-country tour.”
Perimeter is hosting two important events at CSPC 2024.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Perimeter is hosting a panel session on The Quantum Revolution: How Breakthroughs in Quantum Science Will Transform Society.
Led by moderator Emily Petroff, Director of External Relations at Perimeter Institute, the panel will discuss the implications of quantum science, separating hype from reality and exploring how breakthroughs might impact our lives and change society.
The panelists include Nick Werstiuk, CEO, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab; David Cory, Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate, University of Waterloo; Aida Ahmadzadegan-Shapiro, CEO, ForeQast Technologies; David Roy-Guay, CEO SBQuantum; and Lisa Lambert, CEO, Quantum Industry Canada.
Perimeter is also hosting a plenary session panel on Canadian Research Facilities at the Forefront of Scientific Breakthroughs: The Long-Term Benefits of Supporting Fundamental Research, on Nov. 21.
The plenary session will be moderated by Marcela Carena, the new Executive Director at Perimeter Institute, who has a considerable background in the fundamental physics being done at particle accelerators at Fermilab and CERN. The panelists will talk about the impact of science policy in support of fundamental science, and the long-term economic impact and societal benefits of basic research.
The speakers include Jodi Cooley, Executive Director of SNOLAB, Canada’s world class underground science facility; Chithra Karunakaran, Science Director at Canadian Light Source, which is the home of the only synchrotron in Canada; Rituparna Kanungo, Director of Physical Sciences at TRIUMF, and Laurent Freidel, a research faculty member at Perimeter.
In addition to this panel, Perimeter staff and researchers will participate in events throughout the conference and will be running a booth in the exhibition space.
About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
