Canadians should be proud of their S&T program
October 26, 2012
— Uncategorized
A new report from the Council of Canadian Academies released in September titled The State of Science and Technology in Canada has great news about Canada’s Science and Technology sector. The report states that Canadian Science and Technology is a healthy and growing field in both output and impact. With less than 0.5 percent of the World’s population, Canada produces 4.1 percent of all scientific papers and nearly 5 percent of the most frequently cited papers.
The report highlights six research fields where Canada excels with “physics and astronomy” being on of them. A subfield of “particle and nuclear physics” is also recognized as one of the key drivers for the Canadian S&T program. The other areas that Canada excels in are: clinical medicine, historical studies, information and communication technologies (ICT), psychology and cognitive sciences, and visual and performing arts.
SNOLAB Director Dr. Nigel Smith was not surprised with the report findings, “The Council of Canadian Academies report into the State of Science and Technology in Canada highlights again the great strength of the Canadian research community and its impact globally across many broad categories. From the perspective of physics and astronomy, it is very pleasing to note both the highly ranked quantity and quality of publications, as well as the new study into perception and reputation of Canadian research by leading international researchers.”
This is all great news for SNOLAB as the astroparticle physics program ramps up in the underground facility. With many experiments under construction and a few taking data, SNOLAB is pleased with the recognition of the World-leading science being undertaken at the facility. Dr. Smith adds “The recognition that Canada possesses world-leading research facilities in this field, such as TRIUMF, the Perimeter Institute and SNOLAB, is also a tremendous validation of the continued effort and investment being made in these infrastructures which underpin the national research base. These investments, and this report, bode extremely well for the future of Canadian science and technology.”
The Panel charged with this report points out that Canadians have much to be proud of in the current Science and Technology program. There is great hope that this report will serve to inform current and future policy formers and decision makers with respect to science, technology and innovation in government, academia and industry.
Samantha Kuula
Communications Officer
SNOLAB
Full report available on the CCA website.
[Image courtesy of Council of Canadian Academies]