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IRPP Knowledge Mobilizer Awards

For 50 years, we’ve been amplifying the work of Canadian researchers and scholars, helping to connect their insights with decision-makers. These research partners have contributed to the public conversation and moved the needle on key public policy challenges.

To mark our 50th anniversary, we launched a contest to recognize the work of individuals who have done an exceptional job increasing the public’s understanding of a key public policy issue:

The recipients were announced at the IRPP’s 50th anniversary gala on November 23, 2022 in Ottawa, and received the awards in person. The winners were Pamela Palmater (Chair of Indigenous Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University) and Brittany McDonald (a recent graduate from the University of Calgary’s Master of Public Policy program).

 

 



 

Award for Canadian policy researchers/scholars

Eligibility:

  • Entrants must be a researcher or scholar employed by a Canadian post-secondary institution.
  • Entrants must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
  • Entrants must not be a close relative of an employee, board member or regular freelancer for the IRPP, Policy Options or the Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation.
  • Individuals may nominate others who fulfil the eligibility criteria. In such cases, the award application package should also include the documentation described below (cover letter written by the nominator, and two supporting letters). Nominated individuals will be informed of their inclusion in the contest by the IRPP when judging commences in October.

Rules:

Entrants must provide three (3) documents. Documents should be submitted in English or French.

Cover letter (pdf format)

The cover letter should include the following:

  • Description of contribution to the public’s understanding of a key public policy issue;
  • The methods of knowledge mobilization used (e.g., public events, media coverage, media commentary);
  • The perceived impact of the contribution;
  • Links to materials used to mobilize knowledge (e.g., media articles/appearances, op-eds, podcasts, etc.) should be included in the cover letter.

Two (2) letters of support from a stakeholder, academic partner, collaborator or direct supervisor.

The letters of support should do the following:

  • Explain the importance of the public policy area in which the nominee was engaged and the significance of the individual’s contribution;
  • Note the individual’s approach to making the public policy area accessible to a wider public;
  • Where possible, provide examples of the public engagement in which the nominee has participated and their success in influencing the public policy debate;
  • Where possible, provide examples of how the public policy changed as a result of the nominee’s intervention.

Criteria for evaluation:

Knowledge translation

The scholar has shared complex information in a manner that is easy to understand by the general public, and has taken steps to share their research outside the academic community. Their analysis of the public policy topic is grounded in methodologically sound, evidence-based research.

Policy topic

The topic and research are timely and placed in the context of current or emerging public policy conversations in Canada. Judges will consider the complexity and breadth of the policy area.

Impact

The entrant has demonstrated that they have made an impact in a particular area of public policy and/or that they have contributed to a richer understanding of the issue by the public and by decision makers. Judges will take into account whether the entrant has worked in a collaborative manner within the policy community.

Prize:

  • The winner will be awarded $1,500 via electronic funds transfer.
  • The winner will be notified in advance of our November 23, 2022, gala dinner. The winner will be invited to attend the gala. Travel and hotel accommodations will be covered by the IRPP.



 

Op-ed writing prize for graduate students

Eligibility:

  • Students must be registered in a master’s or PhD program at a Canadian post-secondary institution for the 2022/2023 school year or have graduated in the 2021/2022 school year.
  • Entrants must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
  • Entrants must not be a close relative of any employee, board member or regular freelancer for the IRPP, Policy Options or the Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation.

 Rules:

  • The op-ed must be single-authored in English or French.
  • The op-ed must not exceed 1,200 words and be a minimum of 750 words. Longer entries will not be considered.
  • The op-ed must follow the general style guidelines outlined by Policy Options.
  • The entry submitted shall be original work produced by the entrant, apart from attributed quotations and source material. The entry shall not contain any libellous, defamatory or otherwise unlawful content. The entry should not have been published or submitted elsewhere for publication. The entry may be based on previously submitted academic work but must follow the style guidelines listed above.
  • Entrants must disclose any financial, professional or personal affiliations relevant to the subject area of their article when those affiliations are not immediately apparent to the reader.
  • The op-ed must be submitted electronically as a pdf document via our contest portal, by 5 p.m. Eastern on September 30, 2022. Late entries will not be considered. Do not include any personal information on the op-ed document itself, as the submissions will be judged anonymously.

Criteria for evaluation:

Writing/overall composition

This includes clear and accessible writing; accuracy; a compelling lead; a fluid structure with coherent arguments; a clear conclusion. Jargon and insider language are avoided. Quotes and data that are from an external source are credited via hyperlinks or attributed directly to the source in the body of the text.

 Topic/Research

The topic and research are timely and placed into the context of current or emerging public policy conversations in Canada. Appropriate data and background information have been provided.

Insight

The author has demonstrated a superior understanding of the public policy issue in question, and has shared original insights around potential policy, legislative, regulatory or other changes/reforms.

 Prize:

    • The winner will be awarded $1,500 via electronic funds transfer.
    • The winner will be notified in advance of our November 23, 2022, gala dinner. The winner will be invited to attend the gala. Travel and hotel accommodations will be covered by the IRPP.
    • The winning entry will be published in Policy Options magazine before the end of 2022. The entry will be subject to the magazine’s editorial process.
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