Bidding Farewell to the NB Social Policy Research Network

What might come next?

As we bid farewell to NBSPRN, we recognize that all good things must come to an end. But let me be clear, this is not an end, it’s a new beginning. The sunsetting of NBSPRN presents a chance for us to come together and design what’s next with our collective knowledge and insights.

NBSPRN’s original mission remains as important as ever. It is incumbent upon us to find ways to continue this important work. In light of this change, how might we find new ways to foster connections between researchers, communities, and policymakers?

The circumstances and novelty of NBSPRN’s mission meant that widely-adopted business models or best practices did not exist for the organization to adapt and adopt. Over 12 years, NBSPRN conducted a series of experiments to uncover a model for networked governance in the province of New Brunswick. The result is an organizational design that emerged over time, with all the necessary elements existing but never all at once as a cohesive whole. By understanding the relationships between these experiments, we can build on this foundation and create something remarkable.

The building blocks for a trusted boundary organization are already in place, including a formal network supported by a user-friendly CRM, knowledge mobilization expertise, predictable annual cycles and flagship events, an engaged advisory board, policy research priorities, public engagement capabilities, multi-year operational funding, and seed funding for targeted research. We need to bring these elements together in a cohesive and impactful way.

Join us at the GovMaker conference, where we will hold a series of workshops and facilitated discussions to conceive of what comes next. Let us build on the legacy of NBSPRN and create a model for networked governance that is effective, innovative, and inspires collaboration and trust across sectors.