First recipients of CRTC prize for academic research to be honoured

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, QC, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced the first-ever winners of the CRTC Prize for Excellence in Policy Research. The recipients will be honoured later today at the annual conference of Canadian Communication Association (CCA) in Calgary, Alberta.

The award was launched in June 2015 to encourage a new generation of researchers to contribute to Canada's public policy development relating to information and communication. Collaboration between decision-makers and researchers is essential to solving problems and fostering policy innovation.

Ten papers were submitted from across the country in the three award categories: Master's, Doctoral and Post-doctoral.

The winner in the Master's category is Daniel Mackwood, from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information and Faculty of Law. Mr. Mackwood submitted a paper highlighting the challenges within Canada's telecommunications regulatory framework.

The winner in the PhD category is Daniela Mastocola, from the Faculty of Communication and Culture, at York University and Ryerson University. Ms. Mastrocola's paper centres on transition of York University's campus radio station, which was formerly known as CHRY 105.5 FM, to VIBE 105. Her paper also addresses the principles of community accessibility.

The winner in the Post-doctorate category is Mary Elizabeth Luka, who is a Banting Post-doctoral Fellow at York University, in Toronto.  Dr. Luka's paper focussed on rethinking the roots of Canada's communication policy. Her work examines how artistic, civic and business sectors network in the digital age.

The recipients' winning papers will be published on the CRTC's website. In addition, each recipient will be invited to present their papers to CRTC Commissioners and other federal policy-makers later this year.

Quick Facts

• The CRTC and the CCA launched the CRTC Prize for Excellence in Policy Research in June 2015.
• This initiative is a way to foster research that will contribute to Canada's public policy development regarding information and communication.
• Papers were reviewed by a selection committee of three CCA Executives and the CCA Vice-Chair. A CRTC representative participated as an observer.
• The CRTC engages with stakeholders domestically and internationally to gather information on issues that will ensure Canadians have access to a world-class communication system.

Quote

"We are pleased to partner with the Canadian Communication Association to recognize researchers' contributions to the information and communication policy field. Working with Canadian academics allows us to enhance our evidence-based decisions by analyzing trends and policy issues in the communication landscape. We are continuing to build bridges with academia, and hope this award will continue to foster meaningful dialogue between researchers and policy-makers."

Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC

Associated Links

CRTC Prize for Excellence in Policy Research
Canadian Communication Association

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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