Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar Lecture: How Universities Are Driving Innovation (TRN5-E72)

Overview

Delivery method

Online

Duration

1 hour

Audience

All public servants at all levels

Description

Canada’s innovation ecosystem relies on academia to turn research into real-world applications. To support this, the question of how government policy can better enable academic institutions to advance commercialization, support entrepreneurship, and drive broader economic growth persists.

This event features Dr. Shiri Breznitz, the 2026 Jocelyne Bourgon visiting scholar at the Canada School of Public Service, who will examine how public policy shapes the ways universities are contributing to the innovation landscape. Drawing on her research in technology commercialization, intellectual property, research funding, and student entrepreneurship, Dr. Breznitz will explore how policy influences incubators, accelerators, and the role of international students in fostering innovation and business creation.

Participants will gain insights into how the Government of Canada can design more effective policy frameworks to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector while enhancing Canada’s innovation outcomes.

About the lecture

Launched in October 2021, the Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar Initiative is a way to recognize academic expertise, foster fresh ideas, and obtain an external perspective on priority issues within the Government of Canada.

Speaker

• Shiri Breznitz, Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar, Canada School of Public Service; and Roz and Ralph Halbert Professor of Innovation and Director of Research, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto

Moderator

• Taki Sarantakis, President, Canada School of Public Service