Science Media Centre of Canada

The inaugural event of the Science Media Centre of Canada drew more than 100 guests to an Oct. 2 luncheon in Ottawa for lively discussion about the Centre’s goals and plans over the coming months. Journalists, researchers, government officials and representatives of the corporate sector participated.

 - Download (PDF, 15 KB) -  Speaking notes by Fiona Fox, founding director of the U.K. Science Media Centre

 - Download (PDF, 25 KB) - Speaking notes by Suzanne Corbeil, chair of the SMCC steering committee.

Fiona Fox 

She's a dynamo – she's unapologetic – she's forthright– and she's funny. Fiona Fox, founding director of the U.K. Science Media Centre, has held this position since 2002. Even now, seven years later, she seems astonished that she managed to score the job. Her own biography states: “Despite having no background in science, Fiona managed to persuade a distinguished panel of eminent scientists to take a risk and appoint her.” It's a good thing they did. Fiona has worked tirelessly to establish the Centre as an invaluable asset to both the scientific and journalistic communities in the U.K.

Under her leadership the Centre has helped to restore public trust in science by persuading more scientists to engage more effectively with controversial science stories that hit the headlines. The Centre’s staff rely on a database of more than 2,000 scientists to assist all sections of the national news media, earning huge praise and respect from the journalists. An editorial in Nature magazine paid tribute to the “robust leadership” of its Director. The success of the U.K. Science Media Centre under the leadership of Fiona Fox, has inspired other SMCs – in Australia, New Zealand and, now, in Canada.

The Panelists 

Adding the Canadian context and reflecting on the U.K. experience will be three representatives from the fields of science journalism, university research and public policy:

Professor David Secko, department of journalism at Concordia University in Montreal, is directing a national study of new models in science journalism. He is a member of the editorial advisory panel of the SMCC.

Professor Allison Sekuler, associate vice-president and dean of graduate studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, holds a Canada Research Chair in cognitive neuroscience and has championed the concept of Café Scientifique. She is a member of the SMCC Steering Committee.

David B. Watters, founder and president of Global Advantage Consulting in Ottawa, served as an assistant deputy minister in six federal government departments and agencies during a 30-year career in the public service.