Frequently Asked Questions

The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy is Canada's leading research policy institute bridging agricultural science and real-world policy impact. Created in 2020 within the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, we mobilize research about Canadian agriculture to inform policymaking and public education, building a more sustainable food system through evidence-based policy and practice.

We translate agricultural research into accessible content that informs better policymaking and decision-making. Our work includes conducting evidence-based research on critical issues like digital agriculture, water sustainability, and trade policy; convening stakeholders through Policy Labs and events; producing publications like issue briefs and controversy atlases; and improving public agricultural literacy through our Ag Literacy Program in partnership with BMO.

The Simpson Centre uniquely focuses on the critical bridge between agricultural research and practical policy outcomes. Unlike organizations focused on advocacy or representing specific stakeholder interests, we maintain strict neutrality and serve as a knowledge broker. Rather than conducting primary agricultural science, we specialize in translating existing research into evidence-based policy recommendations and mobilizing knowledge to inform real-world decisions affecting Canada's food system. We don't take sides in agricultural debates but instead provide the evidence, context, and neutral ground needed for informed dialogue. Our unique position within a university allows us to bridge academic research with practical policy applications while remaining independent and objective, and our stakeholder engagement approach ensures producer voices and practical realities shape our analysis.

The Simpson Centre is located at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The university is situated on Treaty 7 territory in Southern Alberta.

While based in Alberta and conducting significant research on Alberta agriculture, the Simpson Centre's work addresses national agricultural policy issues affecting all of Canada. Our research on federal budgets, trade policy, digital agriculture frameworks, and food system sustainability informs policy discussions at both provincial and national levels.

The Simpson Centre is part of the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). Our team includes agricultural researchers, policy analysts, and stakeholders from across Canada's agri-food sector. For more information about our team members, visit vet.ucalgary.ca/simpsoncentre/about/our-team.

The Simpson Centre is led by Director Dr. Manuel Juárez, who holds an academic appointment within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and an independent Advisory Board that oversees operations and provides input on strategy. Our transdisciplinary model engages other schools and faculties within and beyond the University of Calgary, and we are actively developing partnerships with other research centres across Canada and internationally.

Our transdisciplinary model means we engage expertise from multiple schools and faculties within and beyond the University of Calgary. Agricultural policy challenges are complex and interconnected, requiring insights from veterinary medicine, economics, sociology, engineering, environmental science, and other disciplines. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive analysis of agri-food issues.

The Simpson Centre operates as a research policy institute within the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This academic home provides independence, credibility, and access to multidisciplinary expertise while ensuring our work maintains the highest research standards. The university's commitment to agricultural research strengthens the Centre's capacity to address complex agri-food challenges.