John Dupuis
Canada has entered an era of decision-based evidence making, where scientific and other evidence takes a back seat to an ideology of political partisanship in the service of economic development and prosperity, asserts John Dupuis, associate librarian with the Steacie Science and Engineering Library at York University.
Dupuis will speak about government tactics that range from budget cuts to government science departments and turning government scientific infrastructure into a concierge for industry, to muzzling government scientists who want to discuss their research in public, during the next Science and Technology Studies (STS) Seminar Series talk on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 12:30 to 2pm in the Paul A. Delaney Gallery, 320 Norman Bethune College, Keele Campus.
“Where once we could hope that scientific evidence would play an important role in decision making in such areas as public health, resource development and environmental stewardship, this no longer seems to be the case,” says Dupuis in his lecture abstract. His presentation will look at some of the major causes, strategies and skirmishes in the war as well as some prospects for a ceasefire and perhaps even a fair and just peace.
Now in its 15th year, the series has hosted more than 500 speakers from Canada and around the world. It is open to the public and STS majors are encouraged to attend. Members of the program also help coordinate the Bethune Seminar Series, which features three to four large public lectures each academic year.
All seminars are open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the conveners, Professors Kean Birch and Denielle Elliott.