Philosophy professor Sandra Lapointe has been awarded the 2025 Trailblazer Award for Innovation Policy by the Canadian Science Policy Centre, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to shaping Canada's science and innovation landscape.
Lapointe, a nationally respected voice for advancing social innovation and science policy, is the founder and director of the Canadian Collaborative for Society, Innovation and Policy (CCSIP), a cross-sectoral think tank dedicated to strengthening science strategy and innovation policy for complex human systems and societal prosperity.
She also founded The/La Collaborative, a pan-Canadian network developing new models for knowledge and talent mobilization in social innovation.
CCSIP and The/La Collaborative have both been instrumental in connecting universities, governments, non-profits and communities to advance research and talent development to address complex societal challenges.
"This award reflects more than my work," Lapointe said. "It speaks to the power of social sciences and humanities in fostering collaboration, building capacity, and grounding policy in evidence to create innovation ecosystems that truly serve society."
Lapointe also leads the Canadian Forum for Social Innovation (CFSI) in partnership with the Canadian Science Policy Centre.
Since 2022, CFSI has convened hundreds of leaders from higher education, government, and the nonprofit sector to co-design a national strategy for inclusive and collaborative innovation.
Its resulting Roadmap for Inclusive and Collaborative Innovation, shaped by input from over 450 stakeholders, is guiding CCSIP's ongoing work across the country.
Securing more than $7 million in federal and partner funding and engaging 64 organizations nationwide, Lapointe's programs ranging from skills articulation tools to national experiential learning initiatives have supported hundreds of students, nonprofits, and community partners.
"Sandra has helped shape how Canada thinks about innovation policy," said McMaster President Susan Tighe.
"Her ability to bridge disciplines, sectors, and regions has created a powerful new foundation for social innovation across the country."
Lapointe will receive the Trailblazer Award at the 2025 Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa in November.
