The Simpson Centre.
All About Us.
The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy is a research policy institute within the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Created in 2020, the Centre has a dual mandate to mobilize research about Canadian agriculture and agri-food to inform 21st century policymaking and public education.
The Simpson Centre focuses on the numerous social and economic factors that facilitate the success of Canadian agri-food and agri-business. The goal is to make The Simpson Centre a locus of Canadian research that strengthens and supports the growth and sustainability of agri-food and agri-business.
Dedicated to Canada's sustainable food future, The Simpson Centre focuses on research and public education in the agri-business and agri-food sector through a transdisciplinary model that engages other schools and faculties within and beyond the University of Calgary.
Governance
The Simpson Centre is led by Director, Guillaume Lhermie, who holds an academic appointment within UCVM, and an independent Advisory Board that oversees operations and provides input on strategy.
Our transdisciplinary model and dedication to research and public education in the agri-business and agri-food sector are applied in collaboration with other institutions which contribute their expertise on a program basis. We are actively developing partnerships with other research centres across Canada and beyond.
The Simpson Centre is neutral in its research process and outputs. In today's digital information age, we connect researchers, the public, industry stakeholders, and government to critical scientific issues at the crux of Canada’s agri-food future.
Agriculture is of major importance not just to farmers and ranchers, but to all Canadians. We all benefit from advances in agri-tech, accessible export markets and business-friendly policies that help spur economic growth."
Dr. Ed McCauley
President & Vice Chancellor, University of Calgary
OUR IMPACT OBJECTIVES.
As a knowledge broker, The Simpson Centre aims to:
Connect different (and often opposing) audiences.
Improve public understanding of food and agriculture production processes, regulations, and infrastructure.
Host experiments in collaborative policymaking, supported by government commitment to create new policies based on our findings.
Evaluate our knowledge brokering activities to encourage feedback and responsiveness.
Learn more about The Simpson Centre’s research and impact in our Annual Reports.
About John Simpson
The Simpson Centre was named after and made possible through noted Calgary rancher and businessman John Simpson. Simpson, a born and raised Albertan, is the owner, chairman and CEO of the CANA Group of Companies, a family-owned private construction services and development company. John and his wife Jollean live on the Simpson Ranch in the foothills of Alberta. The ranch is home to one of the country's largest Hereford herds.
Simpson is also a serious equestrian. His passion for riding started at the age of five and continued to bloom from there. He represented Canada in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, the 1978 World Show Jumping Championships in Aachen Germany, and the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico, where he helped the jumping team win a Silver medal.
In 2005 Simpson was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to the people and Province of Alberta. In 2008, Simpson was inducted into the Spruce Meadows Hall of Fame. After many years of community services, he received an Honorary Degree from Mount Royal University and an Honorary Doctoral Degree from the University of Calgary.