Charles Conteh

I am a Professor of Public Policy and Administration in the Department of Political Science at Brock University. I have published extensively on Canadian and Comparative Public Policy, Public Administration and Management, Political Economy and Multilevel Governance. My recent research interests focus on exploring how the forces of Canadian federalism shape the socioeconomic destinies of local and regional municipalities across the country and how dynamic regions navigate the shifting contours of multilevel governance to their advantage. Learn more about me and my work.

Read, Watch, Listen

Building Canada’s Agrifood Innovation Research Ecosystem for a Net-Zero Future

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Why This Matters Canada’s agriculture sector is at a critical juncture. It’s not just about growing food anymore – it’s about feeding a growing population, supporting livelihoods, and fighting climate change all at once. Agriculture is unique because it is: The stakes are high: agriculture accounts for 10% of Canada’s total emissions, and the government…
Deploying AI in Canadian Agriculture: Turning Potential into Progress

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Why this Matters Canadian agriculture is at a crossroads. AI tools like Farmer Chat, AgPal, and Roots are revolutionizing advisory services worldwide, offering real-time, data-driven insights to farmers. These technologies promise higher productivity, competitiveness, and profitability. But here’s the catch: Canada is lagging in adoption. Why? Because innovation isn’t just about tech; it’s about systems,…
Niagara’s Wine Supercluster: Let’s Uncork the Future

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 4 minutes

In a recent blog post, I gave a thumbs-up to Premier Doug Ford for going all-in on a bold vision of turning Niagara Falls into the “Las Vegas of the North” through his Destination Niagara strategy. I argue that this initiative will supercharge tourism in the region, create jobs, and pump billions into Ontario’s economy.…
An Audacious Vision to Take Tourism to the Next Level

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 1 minute

Niagara Falls as the Next Las Vegas?
Turning a Sector into a Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem: The Next Frontier of Agrifood in Niagara

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 1 minute

The Next Frontier of Agrifood in Niagara
Agrifood Innovation Cluster: Aiming for World-Class Excellence in Niagara

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 1 minute

Becoming a Resilient Agrifood Innovation Cluster: The Case of Niagara
How do regions reinvent their economies?

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 1 minute

Watch the story of how regions are reinventing their economies in the 21st century
Innovation Policy Delivery and Innovation Ecosystems

By

Charles Conteh

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Most of the posts will examine innovation and its delivery systems, the role of regions as sites of change, and the function of intermediary institutions as platforms for innovation. Focusing on Canada while highlighting examples from around the world. I will challenge the often-negative assessments of innovation policy delivery in the country based on traditional…