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Research to Policy Dragon’s Den

Dragon's Den 2019

"The Dragon's Den Research to Policy workshop took us through the process of designing and pitching a policy proposal to journalists and policy-makers. The hands-on approach really illustrated the practical difficulties of designing effective and politically feasible policy solutions to address complex health issues. I found the workshop incredibly eye-opening and recommend it to anyone interested in working in public policy."

- Gabriella Fanous, Â鶹AV, Geography / 2016 Dragon’s Den participant
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April 29-May 3, 2019 / Â鶹AV-IHSP Summer Program

IHSP Research to Policy Dragon’s Den

April 29-May 3 of 2019, the Â鶹AV Institute for Health and Social Policy (IHSP) is hosting a unique training opportunity in translating research to policy. Mentored by a select group of academics, policy, practice and media experts, participants will take on a current policy challenge, develop an evidence-based proposal for policy change, and design effective strategies for moving it to action.

Topic in 2019: Cities and Mental Health:

Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities. This is expected to rise to 70% by 2050. Research suggests that there is a link between urban living, well-being and mental health including schizophrenia and other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In the IHSP’s 2019 Dragon’s Den, we will consider the different ways that living in cities affects the mental health of vulnerable populations (adolescents, the elderly, indigenous peoples, and immigrants and refugees) and explore policy options to address key challenges.

Participants will hone their skills in:

  • Using research to impact policy
  • Working and thinking across sectors and disciplines
  • Developing policy proposals at community, local, provincial and national levels
  • Validating and refining their proposals with input from practice and policy experts and from individuals who would be impacted by the policy
  • “Selling” an idea to prominent policy, practice, community and media leaders

This 5-day intensive workshop (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) will include:

  • Cross-disciplinary research and policy approaches for addressing a current challenge to health and well-being.
  • Team development of proposals for policy change at diverse levels of government.
  • Discussions with policymakers, practitioners and/or community leaders to validate and refine policy proposals.
  • Team development of strategies for influencing policymakers and the media, supported by expert mentors.

Dragon’s Den! Team pitching of policy proposal to prominent policy and media leaders.

This is a non-credit training, offered free of charge, to advanced students, practitioners and policymakers.

Please note: No prior experience or knowledge of “Cities and Mental Health” is required to participate in this program.

For more information on the programĚýfeel free to contact: jennifer.proudfoot [at] mcgill.ca (Jennifer Proudfoot).

Program Objectives

The IHSP Research to Policy Dragon’s Den is a unique week-long training program for participants to do an intensive, deep dive on a pressing policy challenge. Mentored by a select group of academics, policy, practice and media experts, participants will work in teams to develop a concrete proposal for policy change and an effective strategy for putting it into place. On the final day of the training,Ěýparticipants “pitch” their proposals to a “Dragon’s Den” of policy and media leaders.

Based on the IHSP’s proven standards as a multidisciplinary centre for researchĚýand training on issues of health and social policy and moving evidence to policy, this unique program provides training in:Ěý

  • Using research to impact policy
  • Working and thinking across sectors and disciplines
  • Developing policy proposals at community, local, provincial and national levels
  • Validating and refining policy proposals with input from practice and policy experts and from individuals who would be impacted by the policy
  • “Selling” an idea to prominent policy, practice, community and media leaders

Participants will be mentored by a cross-disciplinary team of researchers, practitioners, experienced journalists and policy leaders from all levels of government.

Eligibility

This training is open free of charge to students, practitioners and policymakers. Student applicants must be advanced undergraduate (60+ credits completed) or graduate students.

To Apply

Email the following documents as .doc, .docx or .pdf files to Helen Ogundiji at studentadmin.ihsp [at] mcgill.ca and include "IHSP Dragon’s Den" in the subject line:

  1. Cover letter describing why you are interested in this training program and how it fits into your personal, academic or professional goals.
  2. Current CV that includes your contact information.
  3. If you are a student: transcript(s) for at least the last 10 courses you have taken (unofficial or official)
  4. One letter of recommendation (academic and/or employment) emailed directly from the referee to Helen Ogundiji at studentadmin.ihsp [at] mcgill.ca. Please ask your referee to include "IHSP Dragon’s Den" in the subject line.

Evaluation Process

Application packages will be reviewed by a committee of IHSP staff, faculty and associated faculty. The IHSP will communicate its decisions by April 12th, 2019.

For inquiries regarding this program, please contact Jennifer Proudfoot, IHSP Senior Academic Associate – External Affairs at jennifer.proudfoot [at] mcgill.ca

2017ĚýEdition ***Cancelled***

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Please note that this event has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.

In the 2015 federal election campaign, the Liberal party led by Justin Trudeau promised to “legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.” In early April 2017, the Liberals took a giant step toward fulfilling that promise, introducing a bill aimed at regulatingĚýthe recreational use, sale and cultivation of marijuana, along with a second bill to bring marijuana use under the ambit of the impaired driving laws.

From May 29-June 2 2017, the Institute for Health and Social Policy (IHSP), located at Â鶹AV in Montreal, will be hosting its third annual summer policy workshop, focusing on the plan to legalize marijuana in Canada.

The program is a unique training opportunity for participants to do an intensive, deep dive on a pressing policy challenge.Ěý Mentored by a select group of academics, policy, practice and media experts, participants will work in teams to develop a concrete proposal for policy change and an effective strategy for putting it into place.Ěý

THIS 5-DAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:Ěý

  • International and cross-disciplinary research and policy approaches to the central challenges of marijuana legalization.
  • Team developmentĚýof concrete proposals for marijuana policy at all levels of government, supported by expert mentors.
  • Discussions with policymakers, practitioners and/or community leaders to validate and refine policy proposals.
  • A field trip to a medical marijuana production facility.
  • Team development of strategies for reaching and influencing policymakers and the media, supported by expert mentors.
  • Dragon’s Den! Team pitching of policy proposal to prominent policy and media leaders.

This is a non-credit training open to advanced students, practitioners and policymakers.

Participation fee: $250 CAD. ĚýA limited number of travel bursaries are available.Ěý

Please note:Ěý No prior experience or knowledge of marijuana policy is required to participate in this program.

To Apply, please send an email with a brief statement of interest to: ihspdragonsden.ihsp [at] mcgill.ca

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