National ‘Get Science Right’ campaign comes to Edmonton

Edmonton, AB – Community members in Edmonton are being invited to join in a discussion on the public impact of the crisis in science and research policy in Canada. This is part of a series of cross-country meetings being hosted by the Canadian Association of University Teachers to discuss the concerns of Canada’s current science policy. The town halls are part of CAUT’s campaign to create public awareness and urge the government to “Get Science Right.”

Moderator at the Edmonton town hall will be Graham Thomson of the Edmonton Journal, and panellists will include David Schindler (biological sciences, University of Alberta); Hanne Ostergaard (medical microbiology and immunology, University of Alberta); Nils Petersen, chemistry, University of Alberta); Stephen Slemon, professor of english and film studies.

Many of the issues in the news lately are likely to be addressed, including diverting funds away from basic research, cuts to politically inconvenient research, muzzling scientists, archivists and librarians, directing public science for private profit, and promoting undue corporate influence in university research.

It takes place at the Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square on October 24, from 7pm-9pm.