Welcoming Our New Director of Research and Policy

As you may recall, this past year has been one of incredible change for our small but mighty organization. We bid farewell to our founding Executive Director, and to our interim leader and former Director of Research and Policy. Throughout much of this time, Farah has been a key contributor on several initiatives and has brought wide-ranging expertise to research, policy and organizational priorities. Farah’s appointment to Director is a reflection of her high-impact work to date, and the vision for science and evidence in Canada she so deeply embodies. 

Farah originally joined E4D in December 2020, working first on a research project with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), and then later with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). In addition, Farah led our 2021 election efforts, including the Vote Science campaign and our analysis of science and innovation commitments across five party platforms. She also recently spearheaded a group of E4D volunteers to investigate progress on the outstanding recommendations from the Fundamental Science Review. 

Farah is a sought-after science communicator in Canada, and speaks regularly to Canadian media outlets on a range of science-related topics. Farah serves on the first-ever Youth Council of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, 500 Women Scientists’ leadership team, and co-founded the Toronto Science Policy Network during her studies at the University of Toronto. She completed a Master of Science in 2020, where she carried out DNA sequencing to better understand neurological disorders, and later worked for the University Health Network’s Epilepsy Genetics Clinic as a genomics research analyst. 

To say that I am excited about Farah’s new role is an understatement. Since I joined the E4D team in the spring, Farah has been with me at every twist and turn offering invaluable expertise and support. She will no doubt be instrumental in leading the next chapter of E4D.

Please join me in congratulating Farah on her new role!