AURORA COLLEGE
Aurora College Research Chair for Climate Change Adaptation appointed to national expert panel

Dr. Garfield Giff, Aurora College's Research Chair for Climate Change Adaptation, has been appointed to the Council of Canadian Academies' (CCA) expert panel on dual-use research of concern (DURC).

The CCA is an independent, not-for-profit organization that supports evidence-based decision-making in Canada. By bringing together experts from across various fields, the CCA conducts in-depth assessments of complex issues of public interest.

Dr. Giff has been appointed to a panel on Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) that will focus on information, products and processes that could be misused for malicious purposes. The panel aims to develop strategies to identify and manage DURC, ensuring research security while supporting Canada's commitment to open science. The panel's mandate is to provide evidence-based recommendations on identifying and protecting DURC while fostering innovation and openness in Canadian science.

Giff's appointment to this panel underscores his significant contributions to both climate change research and research security. Over the past 20 years, his work has focused on the socio-political, socio-economic and technical issues surrounding Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Data Infrastructures. His current research focuses on whether GIS and remote sensing can be used to develop and implement more efficient, effective climate change adaptation strategies in the Western Arctic. He is currently investigating the use of drones to collect high volumes of data under the extreme conditions often found in the Arctic. If found effective, his work could make information more accessible and useful in developing climate change adaptation strategies in the Northwest Territories and beyond.

Quotes:

"Climate change is of critical importance to Northern communities. This appointment speaks volumes about the importance of Dr. Giff's contributions to that work. He will be a powerful voice on a national level for the challenges and perspectives of the North."

- Dr. Angela James, President, Aurora College

"We are extremely proud of Dr. Giff.  Aurora Research Institute is doing tremendous work to address the realities we're seeing on the ground in northern communities, and his work in particular gives him a unique perspective on the potential for mis-information and the value and commitment for open science."

- Dr. Chris Paci, Vice President Research, Aurora College

Links

https://cca-reports.ca/expert-panel-dual-use-research-canada/