The Manitoba Institute for Policy Research hosts events that explore today’s pressing, public policy topics.
Community connection: Bringing the conversation to the public
WHAT: The Manitoba Institute for Policy Research (MIPR) is a multi-disciplinary hub for academic analysis, public policy discourse, and outreach. Based in the department of political studies in the Faculty of Arts, MIPR pursues collaborative and interdisciplinary research in the areas of public policy, administration, and governance. The institute brings together academics, government, the private and non-profit sectors, and citizens of Manitoba on a wide variety of policy issues concerning Manitoba, Western Canada, and the country as a whole.
THE GOAL: By engaging Manitobans and increasing access to policy experts in our community, MIPR works to enhance the quality of public discourse in the province. These conversations run the gamut, and include topics like: accountability and transparency mechanisms in municipal government, the challenges posed by Lake Winnipeg and near-annual flooding throughout the province, the politics of sporting events like the Olympics, and the increasing focus on the Arctic in Canadian public policy.
HOW IT WORKS: MIPR runs programs and events throughout the year on a range of topics. ‘Policy, Pizza, and a Pint’is an outreach series that MIPR produces in partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press Café. Each event provides the audience with critical insights and thought-provoking discussion on a different public policy topic. ‘Café Politique’ is a series of panel discussions presented by MIPR that explores pressing issues. Topics have ranged from: the challenges of child protection in the 21st century to what the right to die means for lawmakers, health-care systems, and citizens.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: “MIPR is in a unique space to make a difference,” says Rob Ermel, MPIR’s director of operations. “Not only are we able to bring together academics and practitioners from government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, we are able to engage them in discussions, both with each other and the general public. These dialogues inform all aspects of what we do, whether it is research, outreach or training. By connecting people and ideas across disciplines we see real engagement and results emerging.”
FUNDERS: Department of political studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba; Government of Manitoba
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