CNS Member

$320

$370

Non CNS Member

$420

$470

CNS Retiree Member

$199

$250

Full-Time Student

$70

$90

Time

Event/Speaker

08:00

Breakfast

08:30–09:00

Opening Message by Jason Donev, University of Calgary

09:00-12:00

Panel discussion (Outreach)

09:15-09:45

Presentation 1 John Peevers, Bruce Power

The changing face of Bruce Power communications

In the wake of Fukushima, Bruce Power is rethinking the way it communicates with the public as we work to improve how we explain the true versus imagined risks of radiation and counteract the misinformation spread by professional anti-nuclear groups in a 24-hour news cycle.

09:45-10:15

Presentation 2 Shelley Rolland-Poruks, AECL

Engaging and Working with our Community

This presentation will also endeavour to describe the challenges in communicating with the public as well as some of the successes that she has experienced over the past four years as AECL’s Community Affairs Officer.

10:15-10:45

Coffee Break 1

10:45-11:30

Presentation 3 Ted Gruetzner, OPG

Communication Post-Fukushima-Making sure we don’t fight the wrong battle

11:30 – 12:00

Questions/Discussion

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13:00 – 14:00

Luncheon Speaker Josh Rosenau, NCSE

How to Recognize Science Denial

Science denial is most visible in attacks on vaccination, evolutionary biology, and climate science, but affects many other sciences as well. I will explore how scientists can recognize science denial and communicate science in such hostile environments.

14:00-14:45

Presentation 4 Jo-Ann Facella, NWMO

NWMO Activities and Experience to Date in Engaging Canadians

Since 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has worked to collaboratively develop and implement its processes and plans with Canadians, including the plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. NWMO will review activities undertaken to engage Canadians in this important issue and discuss the path forward.  

14:45-15:15

Questions/Discussion

15:15-15:30

Coffee Break 2

15:30- 16:30

Presentation 5 Bob Oliver, Pollution Probe

Journey to the Centre

Bob will describe Pollution Probe’s investigations into the challenge of improved energy literacy in Canada, and explain its approach to fostering a comprehensive, strategic approach to building energy literacy levels among key audiences across the country.

16:30 –17:00

Questions/Discussion

18:00-20:00

Dinner

20:00

End of Day 1

Time

Event / Speaker

08:00

Breakfast

08:30–09:00

Presentation 1 Laura Allardyce, CNA

The Canadian Nuclear Industry “Talking Nuclear”
The Canadian Nuclear Association’s (CNA) Experience in Social Media 

A core objective of the Canadian Nuclear Association’s (CNA) five-year Strategic Plan is to Focus and enable the dialogue on Canada’s nuclear future. In 2011, the CNA launched four successful social media channels under the TalkNUclear brand. TalkNUclear is our opportunity to engage Canadians in a dialogue about what they want to talk about and create an environment in which Canadians can have a healthy, balanced conversation about nuclear technology.

The presentation The Canadian Nuclear Industry “Talking Nuclear” will explain what social media is and why it matters, and provide resources and tips for how you can get involved and add your voice to the nuclear conversion that is happening online – with or without you.  

09:00-09:30

Questions/Discussion

09:30-10:00

Presentation 2  Denise Chartrand, Royal Roads Univsersity

Concepts for how to develop an understanding in multi-party discussions

There is much discussion about working together to develop sustainable solutions. In reality working together is often easier said than done. This talk will touch on some key concepts for how to develop an understanding in multi-party discussions including, 

• Understanding who needs to be at the table
• Developing ground rules to empower success
• Exploring productive communication practices in groups
• Managing conflict effectively

10:00-10:30

Questions/Discussion

10:30-10:45

Coffee Break 1

10:45-12:00

Group Workshop 1  Hosted by Dave Shoesmith

Topics for Discussion:

• How can nuclear outreach gain credibility when most people representing the technology are employed by the industry?  (i.e. how to overcome the perception of employment bias?)
• “Do fewer things, but do them well”:  Given the relatively small size of the nuclear industry, how could the combined resources of the industry be pooled to most effectively communicate nuclear science and technology to the public?
• What are the “top five” things we do wrong as a technical community in reaching out to the public?
• How can the public’s (or students’) “critical thinking” capabilities be improved when it comes to assessing controversial subjects?

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13:00–14:00

• Group Workshop 2  Hosted by Dave Shoesmith

Topics for Discussion:

• “Matching the message to the audience”:  summarize how the same overall message (e.g. what happened at Fukushima, incl. health effects) would be best communicated to each of the following groups: (1) Grade 7 students; (2) High-school science students; (3) general public; (4) the media
• “Will the real expert please step forward”:  How can the general public distinguish between (seemingly) equally qualified experts, whose opinions differ greatly on controversial topics like nuclear power?
• How do we as members of a civilized society embrace greater integrity in communication for society’s benefit at the expense of individual benefits. Can this altruism be taught? Can we ever change this human trait? eg we humans will oppose an initiative on the grounds of a financial impact (a base human cause)but for public consumption we say we oppose on the basis of health and safety impacts – a much higher human cause.

14:00-14:30

Questions/Discussion

14:30-15:00

Travel to McMaster

15:00- 17:00

Tour of McMaster Reactor

17:00

End of Day 2