Canadian researchers call on fellow scientists to be more vocal in the media

Talking to the media for a scientist may be a scary prospect. Yet some are calling on their peers to have their voices more often heard in the media in order to counter balance the place that are taking think thanks and lobbyists. Damien Contandriopoulos, from the Public Health Research Institute at the University of Montreal, and Marc-André Gagnon, an assistant professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University, argue that researchers have a responsibility to inform the public about their findings and their ideas. Damien Contandriopoulos (Ph.D.) is Associate Professor in Nursing, Researcher at the Public Health Research Institute at University of Montreal (IRSPUM) and Co-Director of IRSPUM’s Research Axis on Politics and Ethics. Marc-Andre Gagnon is an expert in political economy and health policy. He is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University. Interview by Mélanie Meloche-Holubowski, journalist intern at EvidenceNetwork.ca, and journalist with Radio-Canada. The Evidence Network of Canadian Health Policy, commonly known as EvidenceNetwork.ca, is a Canadian healthcare resource designed with the needs of journalists in mind. The project links journalists with health policy experts to provide access to credible, evidence-based information. We also create original OpEds, articles, podcasts, infographics, posters and videos on health policy topics for publication in the mainstream media. www.evidencenetwork.ca