The Common Room. Our Discussion and Deliberation Series

CCSIP’s Common Room is a space in which thought leaders, policymakers, academics and innovation stakeholders are invited to put to discussion one specific, actionable proposal or challenge to enhance Canada’s innovation policies. The theme may bear on any aspect of innovation, e.g.: investment, resource flow, talent, research, emerging societal issues or ways to achieve prosperity and well-being and its impact may extend to any part of social, economic and or political sectors.

The proposal or challenge presented is then submitted to the scrutiny of a panel of two or three respondents (e.g., from academia, industry, government, civil society) who challenge and probe the idea. After the speaker defends, clarifies, and refines the proposal in real time, invited participants are divided into small discussion groups to discuss strengths and weaknesses, risks and opportunities, adaptation for their context (sectoral, institutional, regional) and potential implications and synergies.

Request an invitation: [email protected]

 

Prof Catherine Beaudry, Canada Research Chair in Creation, Development and Commercialisation of Innovation at Polytechnique Montreal

28 January 2026, 3-5pm (details forthcoming)

Abstract

TBD.

Catherine Beaudry is an internationally renowned specialist on the process and impact of innovation, from idea to commercialization. Her research focuses on the different mechanisms influencing the success of collaboration within industrial clusters, networks and innovation ecosystems. She is particularly recognized for her work on measuring the impact of university research funding and on identifying the innovation factors influencing business performance. An expert on the science, technology, and innovation system and its interaction with the regulatory framework and industrial practices, Prof. Beaudry leads the Partnership for the Organization of Innovation and New Technologies (4POINT0), studying innovation ecosystems such as sustainable mobility, artificial intelligence and advanced materials in Canada and in other countries.

Prof Danny Breznitz, Co-Director of the Innovation Policy Lab and Munk Chair of Innovation Studies at the University of Toronto

24 February 2026, 3-5pm

Abstract

TDB.

Dan Breznitz is a University Professor, and the holder of the Munk Chair of Innovation Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy with a cross-appointment in the Department of Political Science of the University of Toronto, where he is also the Co-Director of the Innovation Policy Lab and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) where he co-founded and co-directs the program on Innovation, Equity and the Future of Prosperity.

Frédéric Bouchard, Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Montréal

24 March 2026, 3-5pm

Abstract

TBD

Frédéric Bouchard is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Full Professor in the Philosophy Department at the Université de Montréal. He serves as Chair of BAnQ (Québec National Library and Archives), of the CFI Major Science Initiative Érudit, an open digital publishing platform, and of the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV). He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) in 2021 in recognition for the excellence of his scholarship. He is a board member of MILA (Québec Artificial Intelligence Institute), RUISSS-UdeM (the Integrated University Health and Social Services Network of the Université de Montréal) and CIUSSS-Nord-de-l’île (the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre for the North of the Island of Montreal). He has served as member of the board of the funding agencies FRQSC Fonds de recherche du Québec-Société et Culture (2012-2015) and the council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) (2018-2022).

Dr Geraldine Cahill, Director at UpSocial and Dr Tim Draimin, Board Chair of Social Innovation Canada

28 April 2026, 3-5pm

Abstract

TBD

Geraldine Cahill is the founding Director of UpSocial Canada where she is currently facilitating a rural Alberta community wealth building strategy alongside the University of Alberta’s Community University Partnership and co-managing Catalyst Community Finance. In her former role with Social Innovation Canada, Geraldine was project lead on the Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Lab; and prior to that with Social Innovation Generation, she supported the work of the initiative’s four institutional partners to seed the conditions for Canadian social innovation to thrive. In 2017, she co-authored the book, Social Innovation Generation: Fostering a Canadian Ecosystem for Systems Change, which showcases the partnership’s field building efforts. Tim Draimin is the former Executive Director of Social Innovation Generation (SiG), a decade-long field catalyst for social innovation. A leader in the non-profit sector, Tim is past Chair of the Board of Social innovation Canada. He was the founding CEO of Tides Canada Foundation, which supported a world-renowned social innovation and model of integrated conservation: BC’s Great Bear Rainforest initiative. Tim is the author of Canada’s first national study of social entrepreneurship and a frequent advisor to government, non-profit associations and business.