Patricia Hardie, SPPA Visiting Scholar
At SPPA, you will have the opportunity to work with experienced public servants such as visiting scholar Patricia Hardie, previous manager of the Conservation and Nature Communications team at Environment and Climate Change Canada.
An avid cross-country skier, kayaker and lover of nature with 25 years of government communications experience, Hardie brings her passion for finding the best ways to communicate for action on climate change and “moving the moveable middle.” Part of her role is to bridge the gap between academia and the public service — she really enjoys having contact with the students and is inspired to be working with so many young and energetic minds in the SPPA!
Based on her extensive experience, Hardie says, “Policy and communications must work hand in hand, from the very beginning. It is still too often an afterthought at the end of the policy process. This is outdated and we cannot afford to do that anymore. If brought in early, there are many ways communications can help to build more robust policies.”
Hardie was attracted to the School by the people who work here and their passion for what they do. She is particularly interested in the work being done on sustainable energy and the ongoing transition to net-zero. Her advice to aspiring policymakers is powerful and succinct: “Do not falter with fearless advice. The future of good governance depends on innovation and courage.”
Join us at the SPPA Open House on December 2 to hear more about what the programs at SPPA can do for your own career in the public service.