Dr. Nicholson talks in this speech about Canadian policy and business strategy towards innovation. As he explains, Canada has been ultimately focusing in “multifactor productivity”, and the country is now facing an innovation paradox, because of its regionally oriented political economy and the government’s high support for innovation. Nicholson finally stands for knowledge translation and mobilization between basic research and business development.

Peter J. M. Nicholson is currently involved in a wide number of voluntary public service positions, but he very recently retired as president of the Council of Canadian Academies, on Jan 2010. Nicholson holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Stanford University and has served in numerous posts in government, business, science, and higher education. He was an original member of the Prime Minister’s National Advisory Board on Science and Technology. Dr. Peter Nicholson is a Member of the Order of Canada.