When making decisions on behalf of communities, governments should rely on accurate data (Walter et al., 2021). However, that data may not reflect the realities of communities when they have little say in how the data are collected or used. The importance of this issue arises in discussion of Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS). IDS refers […]
Student Submission
Health and Medicine: “Following the Science” – Different Directions Lead to Different Outcomes
The statement “follow the science” is much more complicated than it first appears when it is applied to drafting and implementing policy decisions in health fields. In health science and policy, the stakes are high, as lives can hang in the balance. Health scientists and policy makers face many challenges in ensuring the best possible […]
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy Making: Advocacy and Brokerage at the Science-Policy Interface
It has long been recognized that research information does not always translate directly into policy (Gluckman, et al., 2021). Linking research and policy making is an essential step in ensuring effective, evidence-informed policy outcomes. One of the ways this can be achieved is by encouraging stakeholders who are involved in the process of knowledge generation […]
The Relationship between Science Literacy and Information Media
The concept of science literacy is traditionally framed as a knowledge-deficit model. This model theorizes that the reason science is not trusted for decision-making is because people have not received enough information or they do not understand how science works. The model assumes that if people were more informed about science, they would more likely […]
The Transparency and Trust Paradox: More Accessible Knowledge and Weaker Accountability
As scientific evidence has become increasingly more accessible and automated than ever previously, why is it harder to trust the authenticity of research work? Emerging tools in artificial intelligence (AI), open data portals, open science, and preprints have enabled faster, more efficient knowledge access and sharing. At the same time, these advances have created new […]
Managing Coastal Development in Nova Scotia in the Absence of the Coastal Protection Act
Nova Scotia is defined by extensive, beautiful coastlines, where approximately 70% of the population lives within 20 kilometres of the shore (Government of Nova Scotia, n.d.a; NSECC, 2018). These coasts are vital to the province’s economy, providing essential ecosystem services, and contributing profoundly to the identity, pride, and way of life of Nova Scotians. […]
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Self-Determination
Research and the collection of data relating to Indigenous peoples, lands, and resources have long served to uphold colonial relations. Much of the data collected about Indigenous peoples has been assembled by government entities without Indigenous input or participation, and as such does not reflect the diverse values, knowledge systems, or governance structures of Indigenous […]
News Media and Policy: Media Literacy and Scientific Literacy Go Hand in Hand
Information media can act as both an amplifier and a dampener to scientific discourse. Social media platforms such as Twitter(X), Instagram, TikTok, and others have all affected the discourse surrounding scientific discoveries. Studies have shown that scientific literacy can help the public be more supportive of important research and can lead to support for evidence-based […]
Investigating a Proposed Marine Protected Area Along Nova Scotia’s Coast through a Co-Production Lens
In 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) designated the Eastern Shore Islands of Nova Scotia as an Area of Interest (AOI) for Atlantic Canada’s largest coastal marine protected area (MPA) (Moreland et al., 2021). The Eastern Shore Islands (ESI) support vital ecosystems including eelgrass, kelp beds, and several at-risk species. While this […]
Advocacy and Political Action at the Information-Policy Interface
In a time when humanity faces existential threats from climate change and ecosystem collapse, the need for transformative change has never been more urgent. Now, more than ever, academics need to move beyond their traditional role as knowledge generators to become knowledge brokers and public activists to facilitate stronger evidence-informed decision making (Gardner et al., […]