Hosted by O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary
Misinformation is shaping our perceptions of science and what impacts our health—often with serious consequences. How can we navigate this flood of conflicting information? How do we know what to trust?
Join the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, along with other health research Institutes and partners, for a Town Hall discussion on the rise of health misinformation and the impact it’s having on our health, and evidence-based decision-making. Experts will delve into global misinformation trends, societal influences, the rise of vaccine hesitancy, and the challenges of restoring public trust in health information. Attendees will gain insights into reliable sources of health information and strategies for promoting evidence-based decision-making.
This timely discussion is open to anyone invested in safeguarding their health, and the health of their loved ones, through facts, not fiction.
Agenda
6:00-6:30 p.m. Doors open
6:30-6:45 p.m. Opening Remarks
6:45-7:00 p.m. Presentation by Timothy Caulfield
7:00-7:15 p.m. Presentation by Jeremy Grimshaw
7:15-8:30 p.m. Panel discussion featuring Timothy Caulfield, Jeremy Grimshaw, Cora Constantinescu, Craig Jenne and Myles Leslie. Moderated by Pamela Roach.
Speaker bios
Timothy Caulfield, CM, LLM, FRSC, FCAHS
Timothy Caulfield is a Professor of Law and Public Health and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. A former Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy (2002–2023), he has published nearly 400 academic articles on topics like genetics, public health policy, and science communication. A leading voice against misinformation, he frequently contributes to the media and has authored several national bestsellers, including Relax, Dammit! and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? His latest book, The Certainty Illusion (2025), explores the dangers of misplaced confidence in misinformation. Co-founder of #ScienceUpFirst, he has also produced and hosted documentaries, including A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, which aired in over 60 countries and streamed on Netflix in North America.
Dr Jeremy Grimshaw MBCHB, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS, Int FRSE
Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw is a globally recognized expert in knowledge translation and implementation science, focusing on improving the use of evidence-based practices in health care. He is a Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Ottawa, where he held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (2002–2022).
For over 30 years, he has played a key role in global evidence synthesis efforts, including leadership positions with Cochrane, the Campbell Collaboration, and the Global Commission on Evidence. He also co-led COVIDEND, supporting evidence-based decision-making during the pandemic.
Moderated by: Dr. Pamela Roach, PhD, Acting Scientific Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health