Institute for Science, Society and Policy (ISSP)

The Institute for Science, Society and Policy is a cross-faculty Institute at the University of Ottawa exploring the links between science, society and policy. Our mandate is to foster rigorous decision-making in uncertain, disruptive times on complex problems at the interface of science, society and policy. By strengthening links between these three spheres, the ISSP’s work improves the governance of science, technology, and innovation. We address pressing public-policy challenges and engage senior practitioner perspectives in all of our research projects. We convene diverse disciplinary perspectives and foster robust partnerships between academia, government, industry, the science community, NGOs and Indigenous representatives. Key themes in the Institute’s research, outreach and teaching include science for policy (evidence-based decision-making), policies for science/technology/innovation, and the governance of emerging and disruptive technologies.