
Program starts on 23 March, 2021
Program at a Glance
The Leadership Development Program in Science and Innovation (LDPSI) is an intensive and all-encompassing program for those who work in and across science, innovation and policy and who aspire to lead. Participants study the cultures of science, innovation and policy, where they intersect, how they work together, and how they influence Canadian society, and how individuals can have impact and achieve results.
The fall 2020 cohort has been adapted for an online format, and includes a special emphasis on crisis management and remote work.
Register now by emailing registration@iog.ca
Format and Program Dates
We are going remote to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The spring 2021 cohort will be delivered via a mix of online and independent learning. Participants will meet virtually for six hours each week: 4 hours on Tuesday and 2 hours on Friday. The program will start on 22 March, and run for 8 weeks over a ten-week period.
Virtual in-class learning will be complemented with independent reading, videos and audio files.
Cohort 4 Program Dates
March 23, 26, 30
April 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
May 4, 7, 11, 14, 18
June 1, 4
Registration deadline 9 March
Curriculum Outline
The program is organized into three modules. Each module is delivered with a mix of virtual in-class and self-directed learning.
Module 1: Governance in Canada – Participants learn about the governance systems which underpin present day Canada, contemporary Indigenous governance models and how a nation-to-nation relationship could radically transform how Canada operates. This module includes Indigenous cultural awareness training and introduces participants to theories and practices in community and stakeholder engagement.
Module 2: Science, Innovation, and Society – Participants study the science- and innovation-policy interface, risk and regulatory management through case studies, and explore how to assess, manage and provide advice on controversies in science and technology when those controversies become matters of public discourse. Public health guidelines permitting, this module includes a tour of a federal research lab.
Module 3: Leadership – Participants explore theories and practices of effective leadership, and undertake exercises to learn about and develop their own personal leadership styles. Through case studies and role-playing exercises, participants learn how to foster a safe and healthy workplace for a modern workforce and to promote well-being in the workplace.
Group project – Who said never lose the opportunity of a good crisis? The group project will leverage lessons learned to date about living through a pandemic while enabling participants to further develop their leadership-in-a-crisis skills.
Coaching and mentoring – Participants have access to on-call mentoring from each of the four LDPSI core instructors throughout the program. Participants also receive three coaching sessions with a certified coach that can be redeemed throughout the course and during the six-month period following the course.
On demand support – IOG Learning Lab staff are on call to support the technical needs of our learning community throughout their studies with us!
Program Outcomes
Participants develop
- Leadership competencies in: understanding policy and science, interpersonal skills, synthesizing research, managing expert communities, communicating scientific knowledge, advising policy makers, and engaging citizens and stakeholders.
- Leadership skills: problem-solving, oral and written presentation skills, teamwork and motivating others.
Cost
$7,900 for government and corporate organizations
$6,500 for any organization that submits two or more nominations
Discounted rates available for non-profit organizations
The posted price includes: course tuition, all course materials and online tools used during the course, registration to the 2020 Canadian Science Policy Conference, mentoring and coaching.
Note: as a not-for-profit, IOG does not charge HST
To Register
Send an email to registration@iog.ca with the following information about the participant:
- Name
- Organization and position
- Phone number
- City/Province
The IOG will contact the participant with full details to start preparing for the program.
Registration deadline 8 September
Delivered in partnership with CSPC
Every program registrant will receive a free conference pass to CSPC 2021.


For more information
Jeff Kinder, Executive Director, Science and Innovation Policy
E - jkinder@iog.ca
P - 613-562-0090