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
I've been chiding Carney for a few months for being more talk than substance on some big things. But this appears to be a pretty big thing. www.politico.eu/article/eu-a...
Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance
The Canadian prime minister is spearheading discussions between the EU and a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc after calling on middle powers to join forces.
www.politico.eu
February 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
I've been chiding Carney for a few months for being more talk than substance on some big things. But this appears to be a pretty big thing. www.politico.eu/article/eu-a...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Super glad there isn't an extensive body of evidence showing that outside of R&D investments, increased military spending is at best neutral and at worse actively harms economic growth
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
chairemacro.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/u...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
chairemacro.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/u...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
February 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Super glad there isn't an extensive body of evidence showing that outside of R&D investments, increased military spending is at best neutral and at worse actively harms economic growth
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
chairemacro.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/u...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
chairemacro.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/u...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Vaccines are powerful tools against #AMR. By preventing infections, they reduce antibiotic use and slow the spread of resistant microbes. Expanding global access to effective vaccines is essential to preserving the antibiotics we depend on.
pharmaphorum.com/rd/amr-and-v...
pharmaphorum.com/rd/amr-and-v...
AMR and vaccines: Can universal coverage avert a post-antibiotic era?
pharmaphorum.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Vaccines are powerful tools against #AMR. By preventing infections, they reduce antibiotic use and slow the spread of resistant microbes. Expanding global access to effective vaccines is essential to preserving the antibiotics we depend on.
pharmaphorum.com/rd/amr-and-v...
pharmaphorum.com/rd/amr-and-v...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Check out my typically rosy view of things tonight on TVO's @therundowntvo.bsky.social!
“We don’t really do strategy in Canada.” — @plagasse.bsky.social (@npsia.bsky.social) on why Canada relies on the U.S. military instead of setting defence priorities: it’s cheaper. At 8pm with @annfitzgerald.bsky.social (@balsillieschool.bsky.social) & @jeyantvo.bsky.social | Prod: Mike Attenborough
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Check out my typically rosy view of things tonight on TVO's @therundowntvo.bsky.social!
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Linked article is very good, ties together a lot of threads from the details of WHO to estimates of the lives Trump/Musk have cost, to historical context.
HORRIFYING -
Dismantling USAID & cancelling >80% of aid caused ~750,000 deaths by mid-2025
🧸Most were children
⌛️ Many died within the first year
😰 Preventable deaths were mainly from:
- HIV, TB, malaria
- Maternal & fetal deaths
- Malnutrition
news.westernu.ca/2026/01/u-s-...
Dismantling USAID & cancelling >80% of aid caused ~750,000 deaths by mid-2025
🧸Most were children
⌛️ Many died within the first year
😰 Preventable deaths were mainly from:
- HIV, TB, malaria
- Maternal & fetal deaths
- Malnutrition
news.westernu.ca/2026/01/u-s-...
Expert insight: U.S. withdrawal from WHO could affect global health - Western News
History professor Mitchell L. Hammond explains how the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization could affect global health and disease threats.
news.westernu.ca
February 10, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Linked article is very good, ties together a lot of threads from the details of WHO to estimates of the lives Trump/Musk have cost, to historical context.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
My contribution to Super Bowl Sunday is this Jewish Aramaic incantation bowl with a demon on it. From Nippur, Mesopotamia, circa 6th-7th century CE.
Truly a super bowl.
Truly a super bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 5:03 PM
My contribution to Super Bowl Sunday is this Jewish Aramaic incantation bowl with a demon on it. From Nippur, Mesopotamia, circa 6th-7th century CE.
Truly a super bowl.
Truly a super bowl.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Imagine a Paradise of Human Endeavour, where the crushed art & science of all the ended empires dwells after destruction. The grand reliefs of Assyria and Magelang, of Champa and Mayaland, of which we enjoy but remnants. I hope these works of Guston & Shahn will rest in good company there.
It’s Been Called the ‘Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.’ Don’t Destroy It.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Imagine a Paradise of Human Endeavour, where the crushed art & science of all the ended empires dwells after destruction. The grand reliefs of Assyria and Magelang, of Champa and Mayaland, of which we enjoy but remnants. I hope these works of Guston & Shahn will rest in good company there.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Podborski’s Start (Sarajevo Olympics)
Ken Danby
1984
Ken Danby
1984
February 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Podborski’s Start (Sarajevo Olympics)
Ken Danby
1984
Ken Danby
1984
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Why the Gods made treadmills.
February 7, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Why the Gods made treadmills.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
In "an application of the history of political development and state formation to the EU case. Three reinforcing logics around markets, identity, and security have the potential to accelerate the movement of political authority to the EU level while reshaping Europe as a polity."
A market for war? the reinforcing logics of Europe’s security turn1
The global political order is in a moment of historical change after decades of relative geopolitical stability. I argue that a combination of the second Trump Administration’s pivot away from the ...
www.tandfonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:44 AM
In "an application of the history of political development and state formation to the EU case. Three reinforcing logics around markets, identity, and security have the potential to accelerate the movement of political authority to the EU level while reshaping Europe as a polity."
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Everyone should watch this.
Highlighting the speaker who stood in front of the Surprise mayor and told him to consider what the Mayor of Ohrdruf must’ve thought before he died by suicide: “He might have thought ‘how is this my fault I had no jurisdiction over this’ maybe he said ‘this site was not subject to local zoning.’”
February 4, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Everyone should watch this.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
There 30,000+ objects (>10cm diameter) in orbit around Earth.
1/3 active satellites.
2/3 dead payloads, rocket bodies, collision & other debris.
Can we handle a million more?
In my latest, I articulate a framework for a more responsible use of space.
1/4
www.cigionline.org/publications...
1/3 active satellites.
2/3 dead payloads, rocket bodies, collision & other debris.
Can we handle a million more?
In my latest, I articulate a framework for a more responsible use of space.
1/4
www.cigionline.org/publications...
February 4, 2026 at 6:33 PM
There 30,000+ objects (>10cm diameter) in orbit around Earth.
1/3 active satellites.
2/3 dead payloads, rocket bodies, collision & other debris.
Can we handle a million more?
In my latest, I articulate a framework for a more responsible use of space.
1/4
www.cigionline.org/publications...
1/3 active satellites.
2/3 dead payloads, rocket bodies, collision & other debris.
Can we handle a million more?
In my latest, I articulate a framework for a more responsible use of space.
1/4
www.cigionline.org/publications...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
US sales of medically important antibiotics for farm animals rose 16% 2023-24. When regulatory agencies & public health guidance are being weakened, expecting the tighter controls needed to curb the trend feels more like wishful thinking than policy
#AMR
publichealthpolicyjournal.com/u-s-farm-ant...
#AMR
publichealthpolicyjournal.com/u-s-farm-ant...
U.S. Farm Antibiotic Sales Surged 16% in One Year — Why That’s a Problem for Human Health - Science, Public Health Policy and the Law
By Sentient Media
publichealthpolicyjournal.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:35 AM
US sales of medically important antibiotics for farm animals rose 16% 2023-24. When regulatory agencies & public health guidance are being weakened, expecting the tighter controls needed to curb the trend feels more like wishful thinking than policy
#AMR
publichealthpolicyjournal.com/u-s-farm-ant...
#AMR
publichealthpolicyjournal.com/u-s-farm-ant...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Published today in The Lancet Global Health: A modelling study on current worldwide trends in humanitarian and developmental assistance finds that cuts up to 2030 are projected to cause up to 22.6m additional deaths, inc. 5.4m children u5. Available Open Access - www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
February 3, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Published today in The Lancet Global Health: A modelling study on current worldwide trends in humanitarian and developmental assistance finds that cuts up to 2030 are projected to cause up to 22.6m additional deaths, inc. 5.4m children u5. Available Open Access - www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
One of the leaders of the separatist movement in Alberta concerned about communist influence on Canadian politicians:
“I have an honours degree in political science”
🤔
“I have an honours degree in political science”
🤔
"Don't you think that communist Ottawa is leveraging communist China against Alberta?" -- absolutely unreal CTV platformed this loon...
February 1, 2026 at 10:31 PM
One of the leaders of the separatist movement in Alberta concerned about communist influence on Canadian politicians:
“I have an honours degree in political science”
🤔
“I have an honours degree in political science”
🤔
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Good interview! Yes, Canada & European countries, Japan, NZ, etc. will by default be more influential in the WHO. But unlike many of our allies, global health hasn’t been a Cdn. priority. Perhaps that will change as part of the middle power alliances & ‘variable geometry’ highlighted by the PM.
February 1, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Good interview! Yes, Canada & European countries, Japan, NZ, etc. will by default be more influential in the WHO. But unlike many of our allies, global health hasn’t been a Cdn. priority. Perhaps that will change as part of the middle power alliances & ‘variable geometry’ highlighted by the PM.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
I was on CBC radio this week, discussing the poorly understood US departure from WHO, the deaths that Trump’s war on global health has caused, and options for other countries after the US heel turn
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
February 1, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I was on CBC radio this week, discussing the poorly understood US departure from WHO, the deaths that Trump’s war on global health has caused, and options for other countries after the US heel turn
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
🇺🇳 Opinion: ‘Europe has greater responsibility in the World Health Organization without the United States’ - Writes Professor Ilona Kickbusch in @bmj.com
‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Europe has greater responsibility in the WHO without the United States
The US’s withdrawal from WHO makes Europe the system stabiliser in global health multilateralism, writes Ilona Kickbusch
At the upcoming executive board meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO...
www.bmj.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:45 AM
🇺🇳 Opinion: ‘Europe has greater responsibility in the World Health Organization without the United States’ - Writes Professor Ilona Kickbusch in @bmj.com
‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Martin has been one of the most high profile commentators on health policy in Canada for many years now. Her interventions are based on real world experience & a good understanding of the research.
If she is elected to the House of Commons, the quality of debate about health issues will improve.
If she is elected to the House of Commons, the quality of debate about health issues will improve.
Danielle Martin is an experienced family physician and health care leader with deep roots in University—Rosedale.
We’re thrilled to welcome her as our Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal by-election.
We’re thrilled to welcome her as our Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal by-election.
January 31, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Martin has been one of the most high profile commentators on health policy in Canada for many years now. Her interventions are based on real world experience & a good understanding of the research.
If she is elected to the House of Commons, the quality of debate about health issues will improve.
If she is elected to the House of Commons, the quality of debate about health issues will improve.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Take a look at @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social's essay that considers how global public investment is critical for future engagement, arguing, "A new vision for global health must move toward mechanisms that treat health as a truly global public good."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/01/26/t...
sciencepolitics.org/2026/01/26/t...
The Rupture in Global Health Is a Warning - Science Politics
Explore how The Rupture in Global Health Is a Warning for future governance and support systems in health programs worldwide.
sciencepolitics.org
January 26, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Take a look at @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social's essay that considers how global public investment is critical for future engagement, arguing, "A new vision for global health must move toward mechanisms that treat health as a truly global public good."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/01/26/t...
sciencepolitics.org/2026/01/26/t...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
I know all eyes are on Minneapolis, but there's a fast-approaching nightmare in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
January 28, 2026 at 11:38 PM
I know all eyes are on Minneapolis, but there's a fast-approaching nightmare in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Next step: telling the world’s largest vaccine body to use homeopathy instead, otherwise you won’t fund them
This preservative keeps vaccines stable in hot countries, so poor kids can still be vaccinated. It can’t be removed
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
This preservative keeps vaccines stable in hot countries, so poor kids can still be vaccinated. It can’t be removed
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Exclusive: US conditions funding to global vaccine group on dropping mercury-based preservative from shots
The Trump administration has told global vaccine group Gavi to phase out shots containing the preservative thimerosal as a condition of providing the group with funding, a U.S. official and a Gavi spo...
www.reuters.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Next step: telling the world’s largest vaccine body to use homeopathy instead, otherwise you won’t fund them
This preservative keeps vaccines stable in hot countries, so poor kids can still be vaccinated. It can’t be removed
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
This preservative keeps vaccines stable in hot countries, so poor kids can still be vaccinated. It can’t be removed
www.reuters.com/business/hea...