Beyond endless frontiers: rethinking the social contract for science and innovation

The social contract for science and innovation is under strain. With the decline of trust, there are worrying signs of a public unsure about the value and authority of science in their everyday lives, and a growing disconnect between what the public increasingly sees as unapproachable, elitist institutions and what scientists see as a lack of public appreciation for the modes and merit of their work. At the same time, there have been major developments in the processes of science and innovation and their intersections with public policy, communications, and broad societal challenges. In this period of significant social, economic and environmental stresses, the need for science and innovation to be central to society’s response is even greater. The goal of this Mitacs grant is to work in partnership with a similarly titled SSRHC partnership development grant team and our industrial partner to examine the postwar social contract that underpins Canada’s scientific enterprise, and explore the elements of a new policy framework.

Faculty Supervisor:

Peter Phillips;R. Sandra Schillo

Student:

Partner:

Institute on Governance

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: