‘Moral’ obligation to guide country out of pandemic trumps cynicism over governments’ ill-advised decisions, say experts

While governments’ handling of the pandemic has presented reasons for experts to be ‘cynical’ and ‘jaded,’ some say their colleagues remain ‘keen’ on helping shape research policy research for years to come.

Sociology professor Susan Prentice, left, who is advising the federal government, says it is ‘professionally satisfying’ to advise governments, but it can also be taxing. Public health ethicist Alison Thompson, right, who is advising the Ontario government, says her colleagues have considered pivoting from an advisory role to ‘more of an advocacy role’ during the pandemic.Photographs courtesy of Alison Thompson and Susan Prentice’s Twitter profiles

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BY PALAK MANGAT

April 26, 2021

The pandemic has left some experts advising governments “jaded” about the political decision-making process, but that’s not necessarily going to deter others from serving in similar roles in the future. Alison Thompson, a

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