Policy Spotlight Seminars
In the spring and fall semesters, the School organizes a lunch-hour seminar series called Policy Spotlights. These presentations by inspiring community leaders and executives address important policy issues facing us on a local, national or international scale. A Q&A segment wraps up each Spotlight talk with engaging discussion involving first and second year students, faculty and MPP alumni. Policy Spotlights are held 4-6 times per term.
If you have an idea or recommendation for a Policy Spotlight presenter, email Lindsay Sands at lsands@sfu.ca.
Spring 2021
Izzah Khan, Policy and Government Relations Analyst at FortisBC
Shiri Pasternak, assistant professor at Ryerson University and research director of the Yellowhead Institute
CJ Rowe, director of SFU’s Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office
Gerry Salembier, former Assistant Deputy Minister for the British Columbia Region at Western Economic Diversification
Fall 2020
Heather Devine, Head, BC Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG)
Reuben Ford, Research Director, The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation
Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Decolonization and Urban Indigenous Planning Fellow at Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
Anjum Sultana, National Director of Public Policy and Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada
Spring 2020
Felim Donnelly, Founder and Principal of City Smarts
Connor Morris, Manager, Communications and Policy, First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC)
Don Wright, Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service
Fall 2019
George Benson, Urban Planner and Consultant with Vancouver Economic Commission
Alan Greer, Acting Director of Fiscal Policy and Arrangements, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Maureen Maloney, Professor, SFU School of Public Policy
René Reyes and Alejandra Schueftan from Instituto Forestal, Chile
Spring 2019
Alex Hemingway, Public Finance Policy Analyst, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office
Allan Seckel, Chief Executive Officer, Doctors of BC