In an lively and engaging presentation, Dr. Alex Bielak will draw on his experiences in conservation organizations, provincial and federal governments, and most recently with the United Nations, to frame the global water crisis. He will describe how the language of water has changed over time. He will provide examples of the work of the United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health in helping meet the Millennium Development Goals, and speak about the ways research undertaken  “under the Skyway” (at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters) has helped improve the lives of Canadians. He will also suggest several

Although virus diseases have been one of mankind’s greatest afflictions and causes of death, human ingenuity and the very nature of viruses has afforded a means of combating and even totally eliminating some of these dreaded diseases.　 Beginning with the astute observations of Edward Jenner to overcome smallpox and progressing with contributions from Pasteur, Theiler, Salk and Sabin the use of vaccines has made some of the most feared of diseases virtually unknown today.　 Modern molecular biology techniques have afforded the means to more rapidly respond to other, sometimes less common but equally dangerous, viral agents. Dr. Prevec, who has

With a 3.5 m diameter, the Herschel Space Observatory is the largest astronomical telescope ever put into space. Since its launch in May 2009, it has been giving astronomers a new window on the universe, producing high resolution images of our own Milky Way Galaxy and other galaxies at far-infrared and sub-millimetre wavelengths. I will lead you on a visual tour through recent Herschel results, with a focus on images of nearby galaxies, which are my own focus of research.

In his roles as President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, a recognized leader in the study of genomes, and an enthusiastic grandparent, Dr. Alan Bernstein will provide insights into new directions in research examining the relationship between gene expression, the architecture of the developing brain and what we are learning about the impact on lifelong health, learning trajectories, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, and a stronger, healthier community.

The Métis Nation and the Crown have an old relationship based on a pattern of unresolved grievances, violence and neglect. Understanding who the Métis are and the history of this difficult relationship is key to finding contemporary resolution and reconciliation. This talk explores the Métis-Crown Relationship from its beginnings in the 19th Century and looks at where it is going in the 21st Century.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, cities were compact, limited by how far a person could walk or a horse could travel in a reasonable period of time.  The automobile brought a second urban revolution that has permitted the almost-unlimited growth of our cities.  This auto-based city is characterized by very low density, single-use neighbourhoods (housing here, stores there, offices someplace else).  There have also been technological improvements in mass transit, but these alone will not solve the fundamental challenge of how to maintain and improve quality of life, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability as our urban areas continue to

Income inequality has been getting worse in Canada. What’s driving this trend? What does it mean for Canada? For the future of generations to come? And what can we do about it? Trish Hennessy looks at almost 100 years of income inequality in Canada, from the heyday of the Roaring 20s, the massive outbreak of poverty during the Great Depression, the rise of the middle class post-war, to worsening income inequality today. She’ll look at implications if this trend continues as well as consider the possibility and the merits of a more equal society.

Allyson runs the social innovation programs at MaRS – an innovation centre in downtown Toronto.

She will talk about social innovation – new ways to address old social problems: social finance – new ways of funding this important work: and social entrepreneurship – the people working to make money and make a difference.