Expert roster initiative

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working to roster public health experts to support our science advice needs. Through topic-specific call outs, PHAC will roster Canadian science experts who can be called upon for scientific advice across a range of issues to support public health preparedness and response efforts.

On this page

• About the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Why there is an Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Benefits to people in Canada
• Benefits to science experts
• How it works
• How to apply
• Additional information
• Questions

About the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada

The Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada will be used to help PHAC identify science experts who can provide science advice on public health issues.

Expert rosters have been established by many of PHAC's peer organizations. Rostering scientific experts for various profiles and activities makes it easier to identify scientific experts, and establishes a process that enhances transparency in expert selections.

The Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada will be used to ensure expert selection considers equity, diversity, and inclusion, both in terms of the diversity of skills and the diversity of the Canadian population.

Why there is an Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada

The Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada will complement existing in-house expertise at PHAC and strengthen Canada's public health response capabilities, especially when urgent or specialized expertise is needed.

Benefits to people in Canada

Public health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of quickly bringing together scientific experts to inform decision-making with the best available advice and evidence, particularly in situations requiring urgent attention. This advice was essential for protecting the health of Canadians.

Benefits to science experts

Should you be rostered, you will be among the first potential advisors to be reviewed for suitability to provide scientific advice or expertise to help address an ongoing or emerging public health priority, especially when specialized public health knowledge is required. If selected, you will be provided with an opportunity to ensure that decisions affecting the health and well-being of Canadians are based on the best available evidence.

How it works

PHAC issues a topic-specific request or call out for science experts. Those interested in being considered can voluntarily submit the required information. Submissions will be reviewed for completeness, accuracy and alignment to the call out topic(s) as well as relevance and credibility of the expertise to the needs. Expert advice will be sought if or when needs arise.

How to apply

Follow the link below for further information on the current call out. All qualified science experts are encouraged to apply and share the call out across your networks.

Expert Roster for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1)

Expert Roster for the External Advisory Committee on Science (ACS)

Additional information

Remuneration

There will be no remuneration in relation to being part of the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada or otherwise. This is a voluntary activity.

What we mean by science advice

Should you be rostered, you may be invited to engage in one or more of the following activities:

• Provide scientific expert advice to PHAC as part of a standing committee, an expert panel, or other advisory body
• Provide scientific expert advice to PHAC on an ad-hoc basis
• Provide expert advice to PHAC as an external reviewer (for example, for stakeholder engagement and feedback)
• Participation in peer review (for example, scientific publications, research protocols, etc.)
• Contributing to scientific evidence syntheses and other evidence support functions (for example, knowledge synthesis and mobilization initiatives)

Once your submission is complete

Your submission will be reviewed by the PHAC's Office of the Chief Science Officer. Expert selection will be at PHAC's discretion, taking into account the combined assessment of education, professional experience, including scientific research and capacity development contributions, and considerations of equity, inclusion and diversity. Profiles will be reviewed for completeness and alignment with the call out.

Contact

You will be contacted should additional information be required, your advice is being sought or both.

Why we ask for demographic information

Demographic information is being requested to enable PHAC to consider equity, diversity and inclusion. Disclosure is limited to authorized PHAC personnel with a need-to-know for carrying out their official duties related to the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

How your personal information is used

Personal information will be used to determine suitability to contribute to various public health related matters in an advisory capacity if or when expert advice in an area of expertise may be needed by PHAC.

Who sees your personal information

Disclosure is limited to authorized PHAC personnel with a need-to-know for carrying out their official duties related to the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

How your personal information is collected

Personal information collected for the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada is authorized under the Department of Health Act and handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.

How long we will keep your information

Those rostered will receive a message annually to confirm their interest in remaining on the Expert Roster for the Public Health Agency of Canada. Should PHAC not receive a response within 1 year or if you have requested to be removed from the roster, your personal information will be permanently deleted. Data can be deleted upon request at any time by sending an email to OCSOEngagement.BCSC@phac-aspc.gc.ca with the subject line "Delete my information".

Update your information or opt out of the expert roster

You can send an email message to OCSOEngagement.BCSC@phac-aspc.gc.ca with your request to update your information, or to be removed from the expert roster at any time.

Your rights

You have the right to access and request a correction, a notation or both to your personal information. You also have a right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you feel your personal information has been handled improperly. For more information about these rights, or about how we handle your personal information, send an email to OCSOEngagement.BCSC@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Questions

For additional information, contact OCSOEngagement.BCSC@phac-aspc.gc.ca.