Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus/ Visiting Professor
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Pinned
Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
· Mar 11
Thinking critically about science diplomacy
What does it mean to give scientists a 'seat at the table'?
open.substack.com
Does science diplomacy include giving scientists 'a seat at the table'? If so, to do what and with what implications?
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Winter Walk
Mike Gough
2021
Mike Gough
2021
December 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Winter Walk
Mike Gough
2021
Mike Gough
2021
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Former head of trust and safety at Twitter, Yoel Roth, demonstrating the intellectual dishonesty of “In Covid’s Wake” by showing how they distorted his own words to make them say the opposite of what he was arguing.
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
December 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Former head of trust and safety at Twitter, Yoel Roth, demonstrating the intellectual dishonesty of “In Covid’s Wake” by showing how they distorted his own words to make them say the opposite of what he was arguing.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Everyone involved in the publication and promotion of this book should be embarrassed. It's not a "harsh truth" that COVID mitigation was a mistake, it's ghoulish and false.
"In Covid's Wake" Part 1: Lyin… - If Books Could Kill - Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · If Books Could Kill · 06/17/2025 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Everyone involved in the publication and promotion of this book should be embarrassed. It's not a "harsh truth" that COVID mitigation was a mistake, it's ghoulish and false.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
One of the things science does, when it is working, is correct its own faulty assumptions. Sometimes when that fault opens, earthquake-like, lots of things we thought we knew tumble in. That’s how science is supposed to work.
This is a big'un! Gonna say 7.1 on the Richter scale of sci-quakes.
This is a big'un! Gonna say 7.1 on the Richter scale of sci-quakes.
Scientists should listen to philosophers more: correlation is not causation.
New research shows fMRI signals don’t always match the brain’s true activity levels, overturning a core assumption used in tens of thousands of studies.
neurosciencenews.com/fmri-neural-...
New research shows fMRI signals don’t always match the brain’s true activity levels, overturning a core assumption used in tens of thousands of studies.
neurosciencenews.com/fmri-neural-...
fMRI Signals Often Misread Neural Activity - Neuroscience News
fMRI signals don’t always match the brain’s true activity levels, overturning a core assumption used in tens of thousands of studies.
neurosciencenews.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One of the things science does, when it is working, is correct its own faulty assumptions. Sometimes when that fault opens, earthquake-like, lots of things we thought we knew tumble in. That’s how science is supposed to work.
This is a big'un! Gonna say 7.1 on the Richter scale of sci-quakes.
This is a big'un! Gonna say 7.1 on the Richter scale of sci-quakes.
Odd timing given the rapid decline of the FDA in the United States…. 🙁
"The Order...would deem the requirement for the Minister to examine specified information and material in a new drug submission to have been met based on decisions or documents produced by certain foreign regulatory authorities"
Classic yet alarming: the federal govt just posted in the Canada Gazette a proposal to fundamentally change drug regulation as we know it.
Here's the link to the Gazette: gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/202...
Here's the link to the Gazette: gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/202...
December 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Odd timing given the rapid decline of the FDA in the United States…. 🙁
Some aphorisms are worth repeating:
“madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back."
John Maynard Keynes
The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (New York; Harcourt, 1964), p. 383.
“madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back."
John Maynard Keynes
The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (New York; Harcourt, 1964), p. 383.
December 20, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Some aphorisms are worth repeating:
“madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back."
John Maynard Keynes
The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (New York; Harcourt, 1964), p. 383.
“madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back."
John Maynard Keynes
The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (New York; Harcourt, 1964), p. 383.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
My biggest takeaway from today's Statistics Canada population release.
December 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
My biggest takeaway from today's Statistics Canada population release.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
💊 AMR isn’t just a biomedical story. It’s built into the systems that we rely on every day. In the latest #UnpackingAMR, Daniela Corno speaks with Dr. Clare Chandler & Dr. Susan Nayiga to unpack how AMR is woven into our infrastructure.
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/4ahZybe
@lshtm.bsky.social
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/4ahZybe
@lshtm.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
💊 AMR isn’t just a biomedical story. It’s built into the systems that we rely on every day. In the latest #UnpackingAMR, Daniela Corno speaks with Dr. Clare Chandler & Dr. Susan Nayiga to unpack how AMR is woven into our infrastructure.
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/4ahZybe
@lshtm.bsky.social
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/4ahZybe
@lshtm.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Compare the statement about the antisemitic terror attack in Australia by the Israeli Prime Minister with the one by Zohran Mamdani, and ask yourself who more truly cares about condemning antisemitism, as opposed to using it to promote unrelated politics.
December 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Compare the statement about the antisemitic terror attack in Australia by the Israeli Prime Minister with the one by Zohran Mamdani, and ask yourself who more truly cares about condemning antisemitism, as opposed to using it to promote unrelated politics.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Attention northern word nerds: The very first Canadian Word of the Year is MAPLEWASHING!
And the results are in! After carefully reviewing the results of a national poll the Board of Directors of the Society for Canadian English (SCE) has determined that this year’s Canadian Word of the Year (CWOTY), the first of its kind, will be “maplewashing.”
December 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Attention northern word nerds: The very first Canadian Word of the Year is MAPLEWASHING!
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more.”
I thoroughly recommend reading all of Cory Doctorow's recent speech on AI skepticism, it's crammed with new arguments and interesting new ways of thinking about these problems pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
Pluralistic: The Reverse-Centaur’s Guide to Criticizing AI (05 Dec 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
December 8, 2025 at 1:32 AM
AI is the asbestos in the walls of our technological society, stuffed there with wild abandon by a finance sector and tech monopolists run amok. We will be excavating it for a generation or more.”
Happy Statute of Westminster Day to those who celebrate!
December 12, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Happy Statute of Westminster Day to those who celebrate!
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
The questions unanswered in Alberta’s health care procurement controversy. The province has called off negotiations for two private surgical facilities, but the mystery surrounding the government’s actions remains. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit... via @theglobeandmail.com
Globe editorial: The questions unanswered in Alberta’s health care procurement controversy
The province has called off negotiations for two private surgical facilities, but the mystery surrounding the government’s actions remains
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The questions unanswered in Alberta’s health care procurement controversy. The province has called off negotiations for two private surgical facilities, but the mystery surrounding the government’s actions remains. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
🎆 First issue of 2026! (Yes, uncanny, already next year) And it’s the Special Issue on Policymaking in Times of Crisis, guest edited by Frank R. Baumgartner and Laura Chaqués Bonafont
🔗 www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/3...
🔗 www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/3...
December 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
🎆 First issue of 2026! (Yes, uncanny, already next year) And it’s the Special Issue on Policymaking in Times of Crisis, guest edited by Frank R. Baumgartner and Laura Chaqués Bonafont
🔗 www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/3...
🔗 www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/3...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Ten years after the 1st Global Action Plan on #AMR, it’s time to rethink resistance as more than a biomedical issue. Our new commentary discusses three social science perspectives to more effectively address AMR. Now online ahead of print in @whobulletin.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/4rzDS0k
December 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Ten years after the 1st Global Action Plan on #AMR, it’s time to rethink resistance as more than a biomedical issue. Our new commentary discusses three social science perspectives to more effectively address AMR. Now online ahead of print in @whobulletin.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/4rzDS0k
A highly critical assessment of the role of the CMO Chris Whitty & Chief Scientist Patrick Vallance:
"reticence to use their independent voices in public or to criticise policy ... a misunderstanding of their role as predominantly loyal civil servants".
"reticence to use their independent voices in public or to criticise policy ... a misunderstanding of their role as predominantly loyal civil servants".
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
230,000 Deaths and the ‘Calculated Silence’ of the Medical Establishment About the COVID Inquiry
The Covid Inquiry Report is a devastating critique of the medical establishment which led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century, argues Anthony Costello
www.bylinesupplement.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A highly critical assessment of the role of the CMO Chris Whitty & Chief Scientist Patrick Vallance:
"reticence to use their independent voices in public or to criticise policy ... a misunderstanding of their role as predominantly loyal civil servants".
"reticence to use their independent voices in public or to criticise policy ... a misunderstanding of their role as predominantly loyal civil servants".
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
What both grows and shrinks at the same time? The never-ending riddle of Canadian health spending, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/0fc7a92... via @theglobeandmail.com
The never-ending riddle of Canadian health spending
Annual costs have climbed to $400-billion, yet we struggle to provide timely care
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
What both grows and shrinks at the same time? The never-ending riddle of Canadian health spending, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/0fc7a92... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
How many lives would be saved if Africa had other regions’ child mortality rates?
One of the starkest expressions of global inequality is a child’s chance of survival.
One of the starkest expressions of global inequality is a child’s chance of survival.
December 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
How many lives would be saved if Africa had other regions’ child mortality rates?
One of the starkest expressions of global inequality is a child’s chance of survival.
One of the starkest expressions of global inequality is a child’s chance of survival.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Trust Dynamics and Equity in Public Health in Canada: www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e75199
"...consistent, transparent communication and equity-driven policies may contribute to maintaining public trust, particularly among marginalized communities."
"...consistent, transparent communication and equity-driven policies may contribute to maintaining public trust, particularly among marginalized communities."
Trust Dynamics and Equity in Public Health in Canada: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Project in the Postpandemic Era
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted trust in public health, medical care, scientific, and governmental institutions; this influenced health, health-seeking behaviors, and adherence to public he...
www.researchprotocols.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Trust Dynamics and Equity in Public Health in Canada: www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e75199
"...consistent, transparent communication and equity-driven policies may contribute to maintaining public trust, particularly among marginalized communities."
"...consistent, transparent communication and equity-driven policies may contribute to maintaining public trust, particularly among marginalized communities."
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
A fantastic summary of the @plagasse.bsky.social/Dave/Steve book on legislative oversight over the armed forces of 15 democracies. Canada too lax on civilian oversight of the military: Study share.google/3jb5n56pGlME...
Study says Canada is too lax on civilian oversight of the military
Canada maintains a low level of civilian oversight of the military due to Parliament’s rigid party discipline, according to a new book that compares it with fourteen other democracies.
share.google
November 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A fantastic summary of the @plagasse.bsky.social/Dave/Steve book on legislative oversight over the armed forces of 15 democracies. Canada too lax on civilian oversight of the military: Study share.google/3jb5n56pGlME...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Important point: this ISN'T about willpower. It is about our food environment. 👇
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it
Without policy action and a coordinated global response, ultra-processed foods will continue to rise in human diets, harming health, economies. It’s time to act.
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Important point: this ISN'T about willpower. It is about our food environment. 👇
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
Global governance (and by extension, political science) for public health - another AMR example.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
#IPEA launches this December to strengthen scientific evidence & policy coherence across #OneHealth Sectors.
This policy brief with @escmid.bsky.social maps how IPEA can organize its scientific work to ensure relevant, policy-responsive evidence.
🔎Read here: amrpolicy.org/resources/de...
This policy brief with @escmid.bsky.social maps how IPEA can organize its scientific work to ensure relevant, policy-responsive evidence.
🔎Read here: amrpolicy.org/resources/de...
November 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Global governance (and by extension, political science) for public health - another AMR example.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
How should the new Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) be structured? Some analysis from my colleagues at the Global Strategy Lab.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
So what does two-tier care actually “solve”?
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
November 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
So what does two-tier care actually “solve”?
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Not the bottleneck. Not wait times overall.
It mostly changes who waits and who can buy their way to the front – while public queues risk getting slower, not faster.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Back in school, I wrote an essay about how two-tier healthcare would improve access for everyone.
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
Picard’s point on AB’s new “dual practice” plan: evidence shows letting surgeons bill public & private won’t fix wait times, it likely lengthens them, drains staff from public hospitals, adds red tape, and undermines access.
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly?
What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Back in school, I wrote an essay about how two-tier healthcare would improve access for everyone.
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵
It makes intuitive sense: create a second line and the original one gets shorter, right?
A better look at the evidence and arguments like Picard's changed my mind. 🧵