Compostable Plastics Workshop: Facts, Myths, & Unknowns
On Friday, Nov 22, 2019 the SPIN partnered with the Recycling Council of BC for a one-day workshop on compostable plastics and the circular economy. Led by Dr. Love-Ese Chile, from Grey to Green Sustainable Solutions, the workshop featured a morning of short talks from manufacturers, processors, and researchers with experience in the compostable plastics’ economy. In the afternoon, the SPIN facilitated a breakout discussion and townhall to identify shared concerns and action items for moving compostable plastics forward in BC.
A recap of the event can be found on Generation1.ca.
Giving Knowledge a Nudge: Building your Knowledge Mobilization Toolkit
Our second free workshop was held on June 15, 2019 and focused on providing participants with tools to help them make a difference and reach their audience. Session topics included: 1) Beginner’s Guide to Policy Making, 2) Knowledge Mobilization to Inform, Engage, and Spark Action, and 3) Developing a Plan through Content Marketing Strategies.
Highlights from each section can be found on our Twitter feed (@SPINSciPolicy).
Science & Values Café
On June 14, 2019, the SPIN hosted a free workshop with Vancouver-based science communicator Alan Shapiro (@watercomm) exploring the challenges of maintaining open, evidence-based dialogue with those who hold different worldviews. Participants examined 1) What core values underlie our belief systems?, 2) What fears and rewards drive our decision-making?, and 3) What is our understanding of the scientific process and our perception of scientists?
Read Alan’s key takeaways.
Vancouver Urban Forum: Achieving an affordable housing market
On June 12, 2019, the SPIN partnered with the Global Civic Policy Society to bring you the Vancouver Urban Forum: “Achieving an affordable housing market”. The conference brought together experts and organizers for an evidence-based discussion on the Vancouver Housing Crisis. Featured speakers included Sonja Trauss founder of the YIMBY movement in San Francisco Bay Area and Aled Ab Iorweth from the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation, as well as experts in housing marker economics from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. More info can be found at the Vancouver Urban Forum.
The Potential of Pot
On March 1, 2019 the SPIN hosted an interactive and engaging conversation with some of our key cannabis players to hear their perspective on how BC policies have been shaping up: what is working, what is failing, and what have we totally missed?
Speakers included Dr. Pippa Hawley (BC Cancer), Dr. M-J Milloy (BC Centre on Substance Use), Andrew Gordon (Kiaro), Terry Roycroft (Medicinal Cannabis Resource Centre Inc.) and Art Steinmann (Vancouver School Board).
All Candidates Meeting on Science and Policy Integration
In preparation of the October 2018 civic election, the SPIN held a debate between candidates across party lines. We asked fundamental questions like, “what is evidence?” and explored practical challenges like, “how should evidence compete with other factors considered in policy development?”
