In the Globe and Mail, �Թϱ��'s Mark Lautens asks why there aren't more scientists in politics

Potrait of Mark Lautens leaning on a table with plants in the background

Mark Lautens, a University Professor in the department of chemistry, says the public would be better served if more scientists were involved in government (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Published: November 5, 2019

In his most , the University of Toronto’s Mark Lautens asks: Why was science largely absent from the federal election debates? And why don't more scientists run for office in Canada?

Lautens, a in the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science, argues “there’s no simple explanation” for the lack of scientists and researchers in politics. He says one possible reason is that Canadian scientists lack the star power of leaders in business, sports or the arts, who are better represented in the corridors of power.

Another explanation, he says, is that it’s near-impossible for scientists to return to their lab and students after a stint in politics.

But political discourse would benefit from having more scientists at the table, according to Lautens. “My view is that if more scientists were key figures in every political party, there would be far less polarization,” he says. “Evidence-based decision-making might take over from half-truths or worse.”