Global conversations
Earlier this month, we recruited a new intern to work with SIN Canada from the British Consulate-General here in Toronto. Saira Meese-Tamuri will be taking projects based on some of the eight great technologies forward, as well as working on external communications (follow her on Twitter at @SMeeseTamuri). You may have already seen some of her blog posts, which means that she’s already quicker than me at getting new content … Read more »SINtern in Toronto: Saira Meese-Tamuri
In today’s ‘Information Age’, data is the fuel driving innovation in economy and society. Chris Yiu, head of the Digital Government Unit at the Policy Exchange (a leading London think tank) sits on the UK Government’s Data Strategy Board. He was recently in Ottawa to speak at the Data Effect conference about UK initiatives. I had a chance to ask him about open data, big data, and how governments are … Read more »Data: the Raw Material of the 21st Century
Now that we’ve finally said goodbye to the last of the winter snow in (most parts) of Canada and hello to warm summer weather, it’s time to welcome a few changes to the Science and Innovation Network (SIN). First of all, a big congratulations to both Nicolina Farella (SIN Officer in Montreal) and to Nicole Arbour (SIN Team Lead in Ottawa) who both have a beautiful new addition to their … Read more »New Faces in the Science and Innovation Network
World Press Freedom Day is a UN Observance which “celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.” While science journalism is rarely dangerous, independence is fundamental to accurate reporting – the Canadian Science Writers Association (CSWA) and the … Read more »3 May: World Press Freedom Day
“The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is an occasion to mourn those who have suffered from these inhumane arms and to renew our resolve to eradicate them from our world.” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon On 29 April 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention came into force. Its broad aim is to eliminate all chemical weapons from the world and prevent their re-emergence. The United Kingdom signed … Read more »29 April: Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
Each April 7, the world celebrates World Health Day to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. When thinking about your health, I am certain that access to – healthy – food pops up immediately in your mind. Indeed, food is a major contributor to a healthy well-being, with the quality and quantity of food acting as the main drivers to such status. … Read more »Science and the Food Paradox
In anticipation of William Shakespeare’s 449th birthday, our Science and Innovation team decided to pay homage to the most celebrated poet and playwright in history. Brimming with the “stuff as dreams are made on”, Shakespeare’s plays have captivated readers throughout the ages. Although his plays have had a spellbinding effect on their readers, we can’t help but wonder what technological advances of the time captivated Shakespeare. In a recent blog, … Read more »Science in Shakespeare’s time
GOV.UK is the new digital home of everything the UK Government does. Every government entity will eventually have its online presence at GOV.UK, giving people who need information a single place to go and get it. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (SIN’s parent departments) are already there, helping people everywhere to get access to what they need. At the Design Museum‘s prestigious Designs … Read more »GOV.UK wins Design of the Year 2013
Back in February, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced the latest round of SD Tech Fund investment. This round released $61.8 M to 23 projects across the country, many of them highly relevant to SIN: Anti-bacterial pesticides that are less damaging to the environment ($1.5 M) A biomass-derived coal (torrefaction) demonstration plant ($2.7 M) A 1 MW tidal generator suitable for harsh conditions ($5 M) New exploration methodology to exploit … Read more »New cleantech investment across Canada
As promised, in celebration of International Women’s Day, SIN Canada would like to celebrate one of our GREAT Science participants, a pioneering women in science, Fellow of the Royal Society of London (FRS), and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). If you haven’t already guessed (from our previous clues, found in this post), our post today is in honour of Dr. Brenda Milner . Now in her 90s, Dr. Milner continues … Read more »Women in science: Dr. Brenda Milner