MEDIA RELEASE

The New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network presents at the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Policy Innovation Conference

For immediate release: 3pm September 2, 2015

Toronto (ON)- Nick Scott of the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network was in Toronto this morning presenting at the 2015 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Policy Innovation Conference which was organized by Janice Surette and the Intergovernmental Conference Services.

Created by the late Honourable Andy Scott in 2010 to advance an evidence-based approach to policy development, the Network is a coalition of NB’s four public universities, the provincial government, and a wide array of civil society organizations.

Since its inception, NBSPRN has attracted nearly 1000 members – half of whom are from the province’s four public universities – and works actively to facilitate relationships, mobilize knowledge, engage citizens, and develop policy research capacity through a variety of programs and services.

“Our focus at NBSPRN is to inspire more inventive means of managing within an increasingly complex environment”, explained Executive Director Nick Scott, “bringing together different actors and showcasing examples of innovations and innovative approaches are very important in fostering innovative cultures and evidence-based decision making in New Brunswick”.

NBSPRN’s Executive Director Nick Scott was featured alongside policy innovations from across the country.

“This is a great opportunity to highlight the work we do, showcase our partnerships and to celebrate our member’s successes”.

Examples promoted at today’s conference included an innovation data partnership that would support more open data access; promoting a career development platform that raises student awareness of career options, and the solutions lab approach to solving complex social problems. All of these projects bring together multiple partners with different interests to jointly develop policy and programs.

The first day of the conference featured Keynote Beth Noveck, Director of the Governance Lab and MacArthur Research Network on Opening Governance. Beth Noveck was also a keynote speaker at NBSPRN’s GovMaker Conference last November which is being held again this year during the same month in Fredericton NB.

Media contact:

Nick Scott

Executive Director, New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network

nick.scott@rrps-nb-sprn.ca