Research and engagement clusters

The Institute for Science, Society and Policy is a cross-faculty Institute at the University of Ottawa exploring the links between science, society and policy.

ISSP research clusters

The ISSP has launched five new Research and Engagement Clusters, led by a Core Member of the institute, leveraging uOttawa expertise in key areas of science-society-policy. Collectively, the Cluster leads span four faculties and comprise both emerging and established scholars.

The new Research and Engagement Clusters will enable the ISSP to leverage its strengths, realize synergies, secure larger tri-council grants and other sources of external funding, and expand ISSP networks and reputation within and beyond the University. Of course, many ISSP members research, teach and engage well beyond these Cluster areas, and the ISSP will continue to support and promote their efforts.

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Energy

The ISSP Energy cluster uses the convening power of the university to bring together university experts and key decision-makers from industry, government, Indigenous communities, local communities and environmental organizations to determine how energy can be developed, transported and consumed in a way that garners public confidence and benefits society at large.

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Inclusive innovation

The activities of this cluster build on the extensive progress made within the responsible innovation framework—one which calls for including a diversity of human values, preferences and needs into decisions about innovations, preferably as they are first being developed.

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Robotics and artificial intelligence

Researchers in the ISSP's Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research Cluster focus on three overlapping, interdisciplinary, areas of research.

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Science advice

This Research and Engagement Cluster of the ISSP will address current, important and practical issues in a wide array of contexts including parliamentary science advice, departmental science advice, and regulatory contexts.