MODERATOR: Mehrdad Hariri

Mehrdad Hariri is the Founder, CEO, and President of the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC), where he has built a leading platform for non-partisan, cross-sector dialogue on science, technology, and innovation policy. Since 2009, he has grown CSPC into a national and international hub, launching flagship initiatives such as the Canadian Science Policy Conference and Science Meets Parliament.

A recognized thought leader, Mehrdad contributes regularly to public discourse through outlets such as Nature, The Globe and Mail, and CBC. His work spans science diplomacy and innovation policy.

His contributions have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2024) and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin (2022). He is also a Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa and an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.