Building Research Capacity in Atlantic Canada : Researchers have to think big!

To build research capacity in Atlantic Canada, researchers have to think big! This is one of many key messages that came out of the workshop on Building Research Capacity in Atlantic Canada organised by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Research Grants office at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

About 80 university and college research administrators, representatives of federal funding agencies and federal science agencies formed a “think tank” aimed at making Atlantic Canada more competitive when it comes to securing research grants needed to fund cutting-edge innovation. “The Building Research Capacity workshop was a valuable opportunity for the sharing of best practices and the generation of ideas for improving research services. It provided an ideal forum for networking and discussion of issues facing research, and research administration,” says Manager of Research & Graduate Studies at NSAC, Jill Rogers.

A series of expert panels engaged with participants to identify practical and collaborative ways of building research capacity in Atlantic Canada. Key topics to surface during the two-day event include; the importance of strategic planning, the need for cooperation amongst universities and colleges across Atlantic Canada, and how researchers need to work with industry and government agencies to commercialize findings to help bring new technologies to local industries. Associate Vice-President of the Networks of Centres of Excellence and panelist, Jean-Claude Gavrel said it best: “To generate critical mass focusing on research that will impact Canada, you have to focus, excel and connect.”

According to StFX Research Director, John Blackwell, existing resources and expertise need to be used more effectively. “These are now spread over many organizations. We must eliminate research silos and collaborate for everyone’s benefit. A new, less competitive research paradigm is required for us to build research capacity as a region.”

There is also a consensus that a strong research culture in Atlantic Canada is highly beneficial to everyone, bringing economic spin-offs such as jobs, expertise, economic growth, and prosperity. “Building research capacity is all in building interaction. Researchers need to think big!” explained wrap-up panel participant and former NSERC- Atlantic Manager, Yves Gagnon.

Ray Hoemsen, Director of the Office for Applied Research & Commercialization at Red River College in Winnipeg, was the invited guest speaker and also participated in the wrap-up panel. “Innovation needs collaboration, greater regular interaction and more accurate accountability measures. We also can’t be surveyed to death. The key is to network, network, network and adapt and be flexible, because shift happens!”

A summary report from the workshop will be available shortly. A series of thematic, regionally-focused workshops are planned around themes related to natural resources, the environment and information technology. For more information, contact the NSERC-Atlantic office at 506-854-8154 or via e-mail at nserc-atlantique@nserc.ca.