National campaign to "Get Science Right" town hall comes to Vancouver on January 28

OTTAWA, Jan. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Members of the public and the media are invited to join with eminent local researchers in a discussion of the serious crisis in science and research in Canada and what it means for Canadians.

WHO:
Moderator: Bob McDonald, Quirks & Quarks, CBC

Panelists: Jim Wright, Director, Therapeutics Initiative; Siân Echard, English, UBC; Jane Watson, Biology, VIU; Gwenn Flowers, Earth Sciences, SFU

WHAT:
Regional town hall meeting to discuss the public impact of the crisis in Canada's science and research policy

WHERE:
Harbour Centre, Room 1410 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

WHEN:
Tuesday, January 28, 7pm-9pm (Refreshments will be served)

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is hosting cross-country meetings to discuss the public consequences of Canada's current science policy.  The town halls are part of CAUT's campaign to create public awareness and urge the government to "Get Science Right."

In response to questions from the moderator, panellists will talk about what current science and research policy means for them, their students and the public. Members of the audience will be encouraged to join the discussion with comments and with questions for the panellists. Many of the issues in the news lately are likely to be addressed, including diverting funds away from basic research, cuts to politically inconvenient research, muzzling scientists, archivists and librarians, directing public science for private profit, and promoting undue corporate influence in university research.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of 68,000 academic and general staff at universities and colleges across the country. For more information on CAUT's "Get Science Right" Campaign, visit getscienceright.ca.

Join the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/184851931718562/

SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

Angela Regnier, CAUT Communications Officer, 613-726-5186 (o); 613-601-6304 (cell); [email protected] (email)