Dr. John McLaughlin: An Idea is Born
Former UNB President shares his story about the NB Social Policy Research Network and insights into how an idea is born
Innovation is as much about perspiration as inspiration. But every once in a while, serendipity plays its part. In our most recent interview with Dr. John McLaughlin, on The GovMaker Podcast, he shares his insights and experiences leading innovation in New Brunswick. He is well-placed to do so. Dr. McLaughlin, former President of the University of New Brunswick, has had a long and distinguished career in academia, government, and the private sector. The serendipitous event he shares is the very moment that the idea for NBSPRN was born — and how it fits into a larger vision for the province of New Brunswick.
the fundamental social issues that we need to deal with… the future of democracy — it’s incredible, the number of big, big issues that we need to address and that are overlapping, that can’t be put in silos.
Dr. McLaughlin and the Late Honourable Andy Scott had found themselves both attending the same workshop in Cape Breton, NS and decided to drive home to Fredericton together, providing the two with five or six hours of quality time for a real conversation.
“We both had a lot of shared interests. And on that drive back from Cape Breton [he] was at the end of his political career. And I really wanted to get on with, ‘Let’s get the social side back into the conversation more deeply.’ And I said, ‘Look, I think I can find some money, short-term money, to bring you to UNB to begin sketching out a vision for what this is going to look like. Are you interested?’ I said, ‘I know a lot of folks that like to get you involved in their projects, but what would just interest you, and would you be interested?’ And he was. It was just extra super special to have Andy come to UNB and have the social side back into the shared narrative.”
In addition to the serendipity and the sheer luck of it, the story also highlights the importance of face-to-face interaction in innovation — in this case, a long drive. John talks about the importance in a digital world of basic human nature, social engagement, and different ways of coming together, that we need to provide venues and opportunities for “bonding…[and] trust” — such as, for example, an annual conference. (Enter GovMaker Redux.)
One of the main themes that emerged from the interview was the critical role that universities play in public policy. According to Dr. McLaughlin, universities are uniquely positioned to contribute to the public policy process by providing research, expertise, and training to policymakers. He emphasizes the importance of universities being engaged with the community and responsive to its needs. He also highlights the need for universities to work closely with other stakeholders, such as governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations, in order to address complex policy challenges. Bringing those players together to help bring evidence to bear on public policy and helping to facilitate collaboration across sectors to solve these problems was a large part of NBSPRN’s mission. NBSPRN was a kind of boundary organization, both ensuring the integrity of the research and helping translate its knowledge in a way that could be used by policymakers. Dr. McLaughlin states that that mission is needed “more than ever, on any number of fronts… the fundamental social issues that we need to deal with… the future of democracy — it’s incredible, the number of big, big issues that we need to address and that are overlapping, that can’t be put in silos.”
Dr. McLaughlin’s insights point us to the need to build social infrastructure for change, to set the conditions for systems to change. How do we work together? How do we bring our institutions and our communities together to make the province better, to make it more prosperous, and to raise the bar and close the gap? How can we advance a networked governance approach to policy development and citizen engagement so that government pulls on external capabilities to create other value and solve WICKED problems? And how can we in this province find “ways of reinventing that public discourse” in what Dr. McLaughlin calls “a media wasteland”?
Check out the podcast here
Register for the conference here.
Read the NBSPRN Sunsetting Report here.
Another key theme of the interview was the challenges facing public policy professionals today. Dr. McLaughlin identifies several trends that are shaping the policy landscape, including technological change and demographic shifts. He notes that these trends are creating both opportunities and challenges for policymakers and that they require a new approach to policy development and implementation. He also emphasizes the need for public policy professionals to be flexible, adaptable, and open to new ideas and approaches.
“We’re not going to bring this stuff back into government. You’re not going to have an Assistant Deputy Minister for Vision, for policy, but there are all kinds of new and different ways we can invent intersections. Partnerships, relationships between government and nonprofits and universities and others. I think, maybe not at the very top, but I think there is an appetite to try that in a few areas. We also need, by the way, this is your generation, and this was our expectation for 21 Inc, that we would now have a new generation of politicians, folks who are committed to getting involved for a different set of reasons and bringing a different set of values to the table. And I think I’m beginning to see it in local government. And I think now it’s time to move it up to the provincial level. And I think bringing public policy back into the government as an important strategic issue that matters is crucial. We’re going to have to do it in new and different ways. And it’s going to have to be a new generation of folks like you who do it. And old folks like me, we have some history, at least, we can tell you how it used to be done … and some stuff that might be done.”
The interview with Dr. McLaughlin provides valuable insights and perspectives for public policy professionals. Dr. McLaughlin’s extensive experience in academia, government, and the private sector gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing public policy today. His emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and engagement with the community underscores the importance of a collaborative and inclusive approach to policy development and implementation. Overall, the interview is a must-hear for anyone interested in public policy and navigating the complex and rapidly changing policy landscape.
Check out the podcast here
Register for the conference here.
