Strengthening the Voice of Science (VoS) Q&A
What is the Strengthening the Voice of Science (VoS) initiative?
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has launched the Strengthening the Voice of Science (VoS) initiative, a whole-of-agency phased plan to break down the barriers to both doing and using public health science, and support building and sustaining PHAC science capacity in the short, medium and long term. VoS proposes improvements in five areas: People and Culture, Scientific Value & Excellence, Leadership & Governance, Partnerships & Networks, Tools & Processes. It is aimed at improving the activities and processes that support the way we do science and not intended to address what science we do (which is determined by broader government and Agency priorities).
Who is coordinating and leading this initiative?
PHAC's Office of the Chief Science Officer (OCSO) supports the coordination and oversight of VoS initiatives through the VoS Hub. Along with the VoS Hub, task teams composed of personnel from across the Agency will contribute to targeted internal work for each thematic pillar during subsequent phases of the VoS initiative. These teams will be tasked with developing a project charter, providing organizational diagnoses and identifying or proposing actions to address challenges and drive cultural change.
How does it link to Renewal?
As part of the PHAC Renewal initiative, whose goal is to guide the Agency’s transformation into a more agile, equipped and inclusive public health organization, VoS focuses specifically on addressing challenges and opportunities to support PHAC’s scientific community.
Why is this happening now?
PHAC is looking to build on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic response to be better prepared to respond to emerging and future public health needs.
With whom did you engage?
Leaders from the Office of the President, OCSO and PHAC Strategic Policy Branch engaged with PHAC’s scientific community through surveys and focus group discussions, as well as with PHAC’s senior management. A summary of what was heard through our engagement can be found here.
What is currently being done?
The Voice of Science Hub is compiling initiatives currently underway across the Agency, as many activities have already been implemented which can help strengthen the Voice of Science. This will lay the foundation for prioritizing new initiatives to address our most pressing needs.
Contact us
To learn more about VoS initiatives or to share your thoughts, contact the Voice of Science Hub at VOS-VS@phac-aspc.gc.ca.