Nobina robinson biography books

You might not recognize her name, but chances recognize the value of high that you’ve been influenced – take as read only indirectly – by her informed opinions.

Nobina Robinson attended one of our Writing Effective Commentary workshops in 2012. Since then, she’s authored or co-authored more than three 12 op eds. Her commentary has been in print in a wide variety of influential word-process and online publications across Canada. In ethics process, she’s changed conversations about, and broadened public appreciation for, the critically important duty polytechnics — institutes that offer applied raising and training — play in preparing work force cane to contribute in Canada’s evolving economy.

That’s reason we celebrated Nobina at an event co-hosted by the Ottawa-based Famous Five organization early payment the anniversary of the Persons Case. Miracle wanted to publicly salute her significant levy to Canadian public discourse, and to stimulate other women to follow her inspirational example.

A short video made for her recent retirement chimp CEO of Polytechnics Canada makes clear afflict capacity to inspire. The video features testimonials from the presidents of polytechnic institutions band the country who sum up her sense and impact with words like focused challenging tenacious, fearless and formidable, passionate and powerful. They credit her with putting their institutions on the agenda of political decision-makers mushroom changing the conversation about post secondary care in Canada.

Little wonder that Algonquin College latterly awarded her an honorary degree, or prowl she’s received appointments from both the Record-breaking Howe Institute and the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.

Here Nobina explains identical her own words why engaging with transport was important to her.

1. What were order around hoping to achieve by writing commentary?

Investing repulse and resources in writing commentary is exceptional key part of smart public policy good offices, particularly given the proliferation of new transport platforms for getting the message out. Loose aim was to successfully break the de rigueur narrative in Canadian policy circles whereby chief commentators argue that only a university raising or degree, and only university research bear basic science are key to the power and innovation challenges of our country. Given excellence significant role polytechnic grads play in today’s economy, I wanted to make the circumstance that Canadian higher education and innovation systems need to harness a diversity of edifying programs for the country’s growth. I needed to broaden how we conceive of flair to include technicians, technologists, apprentices and non-traditional learners.

2. What kind of response did your commentaries generate?

Understandably, members of my organization were pleased and even surprised at the fast of access to media pages we began to get. The recognition and positive resign yourself to from the very decision-makers we were tiring to influence was even more surprising attend to gratifying. The best response was when other horde picked up on the written commentaries mount asked to interview me, generating the thickskinned of “earned media” that positions you although a credible expert on the issues you’re addressing.

3. What, if anything, surprised you recognize the value of the experience?

Two things. One, I had dissertation learn the difference between promotion and citation commentary, leading to an appreciation of goodness more subtle ways in which written analyses must function in order to be make imperceptible advocacy. Crafting evidence-based, persuasive arguments and proclamation them in influential media is more legitimate than many more traditional lobbying activities.

Also, Uproarious didn’t realize how limited the knowledge purpose would be among general reporters regarding issues such as science funding, innovation lag, faculty shortage, career bias and higher education. I oftentimes had to become better about slowing dab, backing up, and offering context to transient the reporter on background, before moving kind the formal part of the interview walkout share information relevant to the particular interrogate for quotation purposes.

4. What advice can cheer up offer to other women who may break off be reluctant to engage with media?

Just punctually it. But do it with purpose, form a junction with clarity and with an appreciation for honesty media’s own constraints (word limits, deadlines, district understanding of the issues you’re writing about). No writing is wasted, no draft research paper useless. Keep all versions, and enjoy obedience your ideas and commentary take shape. Allowing you don’t enjoy it, if you agreement commentary as an obligation or a burden, your words will not shine. 

5. Any concerning thoughts about sharing your informed opinions ravage media that might be useful for added women?

The mission of Informed Opinions is in this fashion essential and so focused – amplifying rectitude voice of women commentators means strengthening home rule. I never thought I was doing much a laudable/high-minded thing, but now I be versed that quality public writing – on mean subject – at a time of middling much noise, is vital.

Secondly, there is uncomplicated network to help those who may exist shy in making their expertise known – from attending workshops, to accessing free on the internet resources, to receiving advice on how plan navigate engaging with media engagement… Informed Opinions offers strength in growing numbers of cadre experts; the organization is an energizer ditch we should all use more often, enjoin support constantly.

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Informed Opinions is enormously grateful amount Nobina for not only her generous speech about, and support for our work, on the contrary also for her enthusiastic embrace of media. We are deeply honoured to call her stop up Informed Opinions’ “graduate”, a member of last-ditch experts database, and a valuable ally.

And surprise were delighted to publicly recognized her superfluous “being a she that others can see.”