Effective Public Outreach

Communicating policy ideas

This pillar involves the communication of complex and contentious policy ideas with the general public, whose support is ultimately required for the implementation of policies. These efforts will recognize that people with different perspectives usually require and benefit from different styles of communication.

Public events

Frequent public events will bring leading foreign and Canadian policy thinkers and practitioners to our campus to engage with the public, students and faculty. The exposure to these individuals and ideas will go well beyond the audience physically present, through professionally produced podcasts and newspaper columns promoted through social media.

Bi-annual event

Major bi-annual events will bring important Canadian policy personalities together with their foreign counterparts, in a moderated “policy conversation” addressing major issues. One conversation per year will be aimed at global issues, the second at domestic issues. Both will be actively promoted both before and after the event on social and mainstream media.

Suite of communications tools

The Max Bell School will also create a suite of communications products to engage the policy-interested public in the discussion and debate of contentious policy ideas. Ranging from blogs and op-ed columns to explainer videos and podcasts, these various tools will involve faculty as well as students, and will be a natural and effective mechanism for disseminating the research ideas generated within the School.