What is a Policy Lab?

A policy lab is an initiative designed to foster the development, experimentation, and implementation of innovative public policies. It is a collaborative platform where people from different sectors come together to create and test new policy ideas. It uses design thinking, evidence, and feedback to solve complex issues through ongoing improvement and stakeholder involvement.

What is the Simpson Centre’s Policy Lab about?

The idea behind hosting a policy lab at the Simpson Centre is to bring together diverse stakeholders to co-create a roadmap toward better water sustainability through digitalization in agriculture.

As part of the Alberta Digitalization Agriculture (ABDIAG) program, the Simpson Centre is launching a Policy Lab of 3 sessions over the next two years. This collaborative effort will shape innovative policies that leverage digitalization to ensure a sustainable water future for Alberta’s agriculture. 

WHEN:

Policy Lab Session 1: November 27, 2024 – Challenges (extreme events, water allocation, regulation, efficiency, reuse, etc.) 

Policy Lab Session 2: March 2025 – Desired Outcomes 

Policy Lab Session 3: November 2025 – Stakeholder Implications 

Please register here for the session on 27th Nov. 2024.

WHERE:

University of Calgary Downtown Campus

906 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1H9, Canada

Fourth Floor | Room 432

WHY:

To address Alberta’s water availability challenges in agriculture, this policy lab will create a roadmap for improving water sustainability in agriculture through digitalization. Crop and livestock producers, researchers, industry experts, government officials, irrigation districts, and Indigenous communities will collaborate to develop a plan to optimize water use, protect the environment, and support business growth.