As soon as a controversial topic arises, it is almost guaranteed that not everyone will be on the same page. Groups of people stand at odds with one another regarding issues that affect millions of lives. Climate change, is it real or not? Vaccines, do they give our kids autism? Abortion laws, who does it benefit? The stakes are high. How do we overcome ill-informed ideas, miscommunication, and personal convictions that plague any attempt towards an educated discourse and address these questions in an evidence-based way? One way to educate the masses on controversial topics is to have well-informed leaders in our government. In today’s episode, “Policing Science and Science Policy”, we discuss the role of science and that researchers have in encouraging our government leaders on impartial policy-making that can then better people’s lives. We speak with Daniel Eisenkraft Klein, and incoming PhD student in Exercise Sciences and Public Health Policy, as well as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer on how research can end any doubts on controversial topics by looking at the evidence and having more researchers in leadership roles. Listen to the episode to learn how Dalla Lana School of Public Health prepares its future policy-makers, and learn how Dr. Mona Nemer utilized her prolific scientific career to help the Canadian government with scientific affairs.
Research Radio is a podcast produced by graduate students in the Department of Physiology at the University of Toronto. Each month, we release 1-2 episodes highlighting a graduate student or scientist's research, and talking about all things grad life and pop culture! Check out our website, Instagram, and Facebook, and if you are interested in working with us, please email us at [email protected]