Our organization was founded by a handful of science PhDs after their combined experiences navigating life in the laboratory, running for public office, and governing nonprofits. Called the Science & Policy Integration Network, or the SPIN, our goal was to connect scientists and policy makers to promote knowledge sharing and evidence-informed decision making. The SPIN gained public recognition in 2018 by hosting the inaugural BC Science & Policy Conference, held at the University of British Columbia and featuring several notable public servants as speakers. From there, we continued to grow and host events aimed at bringing information to decision makers, including the general public, in a useful way.
As we immersed ourselves in these conversations, we realized that it was time to broaden our focus on policy and scientific evidence – more and more, our most successful events were about starting conversations between groups of people from any background affected by the complex issues that we face as a society, and that each group brings a unique and valuable perspective. Relaunched as Cofactor Conversation Lab in 2020, we aim to reflect our roots in science but also our desire to contribute in a real-world context – while we can’t solve complex issues overnight, we can start diverse conversations earlier for a greater chance of success.
Today, Cofactor draws on knowledge mobilization strategies to enhance engagement and draw out the most relevant and useful information. We host events for groups that traditionally struggle to speak each others’ languages or lack opportunities to interact. Together, we work toward an understanding of common challenges and tailored solutions needed to further conversations on issues with social impact.