Tag: Timeline

Andrew Manitowabi (Mamaateshiins) represented CBRS in a Stakeholder Action Roundtable organized by Research Canada in Ottawa, joining stakeholders across the health research and innovation ecosystem, including key voices from industry, government, postsecondary, civil service, charitable, and research sectors to align our advocacy efforts and effectively strategize for the future.

The day featured nineteen speakers representing various sectors of the health research and innovation ecosystem for a dynamic and insightful policy discussion and networking event. These speakers facilitated discussions on a range of topics, including the current political, social, and economic landscapes; strategies, tactics, and messaging for the 2024 Federal Budget cycle; and long-term strategies for aligning the health research and innovation ecosystem.

CBRS is a member and staunch supporter of Research Canada‘s dedication to working in tandem with broader coalition partners. This approach resonates strongly with CBRS’s core commitment to fostering collaboration and partnership in advocating for advancements in health research and innovation.

View the meeting agenda here.
Read a summary of the event here.

[UPDATE] The primary goal for this workshop was to initiate dialogue on developing relationships and concrete solutions for brain health research with Indigenous Peoples. We had a tremendous response to our panelists and discussion. Thank you to the more than 120 participants — researchers, funders, institutions, Indigenous community members, and health service organizations — took part in the workshop!

It is the unwavering belief of CBRS that a robust national research strategy for brain and mental health should organically weave in the vast, distinct, and rich Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Our vision for a comprehensive approach to brain research and health honors Indigenous wisdom in understanding the interconnected nature of health. In recognizing the profound value of Indigenous perspectives in all our organizational pursuits, we acknowledge the historical suppression of Indigenous voices within Canadian colonial structures.

The Two-Eyed Seeing Through Compound Eyes Workshop will be held on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, as a culmination of our collective efforts, aims to convene, connect, and chart a path forward regarding research possibilities with Indigenous communities.

This workshop is part of our ongoing Indigenous Initiatives, which aims to foster a truly collaborative and inclusive approach to engaging with Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to transcend historical barriers and establish enduring, meaningful partnerships. This integration is not only crucial for advancing our understanding of brain research and will contribute to a more equitable and enriched landscape in the realm of brain and mental health research.

Download our workshop’s Participant Package here.
Read our full meeting report.

The CBRS Annual Leadership meetings on October, 31 and November 8, 2023 brought together more than 40 directors of Canadian brain and mental health research institutes, early- and mid-career researcher leaders, Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group, and patient representatives. Together, the CBRS leadership engaged in reflection, strategic priority discussions for the upcoming year, and ongoing engagement and advocacy efforts.

During the meeting, CBRS leaders engaged in robust small group discussions aimed at optimizing resources to support talent and research. These discussions led to the initiation of a Resources Survey Exercise, aimed at creating an asset map. This map will systematically inventory resources at research centres across the country to foster a coordinated, collaborative, transdisciplinary, and open brain research ecosystem.

The meeting included discussions and rallying for advocacy, with CBRS leaders committed to encouraging researchers at their respective centers to participate in advocating for increased funding, policy support, and public awareness in brain research. An Advocacy Subcommittee was formed to coordinate and amplify these efforts effectively.

See the meeting agenda here.
Meeting report forthcoming.

The CBRS Funders’ Coalition gathered for its third annual meeting on October 30th, 2023 over Zoom. This meeting brought together 21 representatives of 20 research funding organizations in the brain and mental health ecosystem, including local, provincial and federal entities, health charities and other non-profits, industry partners, and private foundations. The organizations in the coalition represent more than 1,500 grants and $480 million in current funding to brain and mental health research.

Funders continued to show a cohesive alignment on our strategic priorities within the CBRS Funders’ Coalition and common values on collaborative engagement with key stakeholder groups. The meeting capped a year of CBRS-led focused meetings with funders on Diversity and Team Science (October 2022), Transdisciplinary Research & Training (Patient Partners) (March 2023), Indigenous Initiatives (May 2023) and Open Science (October 2023), and provided a collaborative platform for insightful discussions and networking. Together, we shared our latest achievements, milestones, plans and partnership opportunities, and establish a roadmap for government outreach and wider engagement.

SHARED STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

View the 2023 Annual Funders’ Coalition Meeting Report here.

Following the direction of CBRS Leadership, early- and mid-career researchers (E-MCR) have played a pivotal role in shaping our national brain research strategy from the outset. Through two workshops in fall 2020, E-MCR from across the country contributed invaluable insights that led to the key principles in our national strategy, centred around collaborative, transdisciplinary, and open science approaches to brain research. These principles now serve as the guiding framework for the development of a Brain Research Initiative for Canada.

During 2023, CBRS hosted two meetings to bring together E-MCR from diverse backgrounds across Canada. These gatherings emphasize the crucial role and ongoing engagement of E-MCR in shaping the vision for a collaborative, and open ecosystem for brain research nationwide. The insights garnered and the Committees established during these meetings represent significant strides towards laying the groundwork for a Canadian Brain Research Initiative.

Read the full meeting report here.
Download meeting slides here.

Over the past 8 months, CBRS Indigenous Initiatives has been actively engaging with Indigenous perspectives to ensure their voices are central in shaping Canada’s national brain research strategy. Recognizing the historical silencing of Indigenous voices within colonial structures, CBRS acknowledges the importance of amplifying Indigenous perspectives to enrich brain research.

As CBRS aims to foster collaborative, transdisciplinary, and open approaches to brain research, Indigenous Traditional Knowledges offer invaluable insights into holistic approaches to health, emphasizing interconnectedness with nature and community.

Our Indigenous Outreach and Engagement efforts, conducted from July 2022 to March 2023, involved seven Introductory Sessions and focus groups on key Strategic Priorities. Participants included Traditional Knowledge Holders, researchers, community representatives, and health administrators, who provided valuable feedback on the current state and future potential of brain research in Canada. Together, these sessions explored Indigenous perspectives on brain and mental health, community challenges, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledges into research.

Moving forward, CBRS remains committed to ongoing engagement with Indigenous stakeholders, including plans for a workshop on Two-Eyed Seeing Through Compound Eyes in early 2024. For more information, including future introductory sessions and focus groups, email our Indigenous Initiatives Lead, Andrew Manitowabi (Mamaateshiins) at andrew.manitowabi@canadianbrain.ca.

Read our Interim Synthesis Report here.

Dr. Jennie Z. Young, the Executive Director of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS), was invited to appear before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Science & Research (SRSR Committee) on January 31^st, 2022.

Dr. Young spoke on the enormous societal challenge and urgent need to understand the brain – in health, development, disease, and resilience – as imperative “moonshot” that will be critical to Canada’s success and well-being in the 21st century.

Fifteen health charities, non-profits, and science organizations supporting research for brain conditions submitted briefs in alignment with this call. All submissions to this study are available on the House of Commons website.

The SRSR Committee is comprised of Members of Parliament across all political parties. In the current study, the committee aimed to learn about International Moonshot Programs that aim to “resolve difficult environmental and social problems, set ambitious research and development programs, and attract researchers from around the world”. The SRSR Committee also aims to make recommendations to Government on what a “moonshot program” could look like here in Canada.

Read Dr. Young’s opening remarks and the full policy brief here.

Access the recording, evidence (meeting transcript), and minutes of proceedings (see who was in attendance) on the SRSR Committee website.

The leadership of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) gathered at the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City for a retreat on November 21-22, 2022, to focus on shaping a national research strategy for brain and mental health. This meeting brought together leaders in brain and mental health research from across the country, including institute directors and early career researchers, Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group members, and patient representatives.

In the past year, CBRS has conducted extensive consultations via virtual roundtables and focus groups with key stakeholder groups, including researchers, individuals with lived experience, and Indigenous peoples. Small group discussions at the retreat revolved around the results of these consultations, focusing on identifying major themes and national-level resources to advance the CBRS Strategic Priorities. It also became evident that these areas intersect and overlap, emphasizing the need for cohesive initiatives.

By identifying gaps in content and outreach and brainstorming on the needs within each priority area, the retreat participants laid the groundwork for a cohesive national brain research initiative for Canada.

View the 2022 CBRS Leadership Retreat Report here.