We live at a time when science is becoming a bigger part of our economy, our health system, and our individual lives. As a result, there are all of these forces that are twisting science. So how do we ensure that science policy created by our governments is based on the best possible, evidence-based information available?
Professor Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health, Law and Policy at the University of Alberta leads interdisciplinary research teams that explore the ethical, legal and health policy issues associated with a range of topics, including stem cell research, obesity and alternative medicine. This work yields scholarly data on key ethical and social issues which are used to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to shape Canadian legislation.
In addition, Caulfield is very interested in how science is presented and translated to the public, to policy makers and to health care professionals. With so much misinformation in the public domain, it is becoming more and more crucial that scientific information is being communicated to the public and to policy makers in a way that is trustworthy and in a way where it can have real impact.
Caulfield is the author of The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness, and Happiness and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash.
