Jérôme Dupras has been appointed as the new chief scientist of Quebec, succeeding Rémi Quirion [1].
The appointment marks a strategic shift in how the province manages its intellectual capital. By placing a researcher and professor in this role, the government aims to bridge the gap between academic discovery and public policy implementation.
Dupras brings a diverse professional background to the position. While he is a recognized researcher and professor, he is also known to the public as the bassist for the band Les Cowboys Fringants [1]. This blend of academic rigor and cultural presence may provide a unique platform for communicating complex scientific concepts to the general population.
The primary objective of the role is to better capture and leverage the scientific knowledge developed within Quebec [1]. The province possesses a vast array of research institutions and experts, but the integration of that data into government decision-making has remained a challenge.
Dupras emphasized the need for a more efficient system of knowledge transfer during his introduction. "Science is one of our great strengths, but we must better capture the knowledge that is developed here," Dupras said [1].
His tenure will focus on ensuring that local research does not remain siloed in universities but instead informs the province's economic and social strategies. By streamlining the pipeline from the laboratory to the legislative assembly, the office of the chief scientist seeks to maximize the utility of the province's scientific output [1].
“Jérôme Dupras has been appointed as the new chief scientist of Quebec.”
The appointment of Jérôme Dupras suggests that Quebec is prioritizing the 'translation' of science into actionable policy. By focusing on the capture of local knowledge, the province is attempting to reduce its reliance on external consultancy and instead utilize its own academic ecosystem to drive economic and social development.
