Our Activities

Panel: General Assembly of the International Science Council 
Date: January 28, 2025 Location: Virtual (Oman) 
Details: CRQIT spoke on a panel about emerging technologies at the ISC General Assembly, a global gathering of 250 scientific unions, academies, and research organizations. 
Link: https://council.science/programme-muscat-gkd/

Panel: Dr. Shohini Ghose at the IYQ Opening Ceremonies 
Date: February 4-5, 2025 
Location: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose represented CRQIT and spoke at the official launch of the UN International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). She participated in a panel discussing the societal and ethical impact of quantum technologies. 
Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/0xeFGFDHa8E?si=B6J6ccdZTgmAXj1Y&t=1983

Panel: GITEX Europe 2025
Date: May 21-23, 2025 
Location: Berlin  
Dr. Shohini Ghose engaged in two thought-provoking sessions exploring the critical intersection of quantum technology, ethics, and equitable access. 

• Fireside Chat: Quantum Access, the Divide, and Innovating Responsibly 

  • How can we ensure that the benefits of the quantum revolution are accessible to all, rather than concentrated among a few nations or corporations?

• Panel Discussion: Quantum: Hype, Reality, and Who Gets Left Behind 

  • Addressing the importance of ethical governance and inclusive innovation as quantum technologies advance.

Event: AI for Good Global Summit
Date: July 8-11, 2025 
Location: Geneva, Switzerland 
Details: AI for Good is identifying innovative AI applications, building skills and standards, and advancing partnerships to solve global challenges. Dr. Shohini Ghose spoke in a track titled Quantum for Good: Industry leadership, innovation and real-world impact, shining a spotlight on how quantum technologies can deliver real-world impact, ensuring everyone can participate in and benefit from the second quantum revolution. The discussion entailed how global collaboration can transform quantum breakthroughs into opportunities. 

Publication: Global Study on Responsible Quantum Innovation
Date: July 7, 2025 
Location: Online 
Details: The paper Exploring Quantum Responsible Innovation Efforts in Canada and the World (Chakraborty, de Mendonça, Driscoll, Soldati, Laflamme) analyzes global and Canadian approaches to Responsible Innovation (RI) in quantum technologies. It highlights progress, identifies strategic gaps, and references CRQIT’s contributions to EDI initiatives in Canada’s quantum hubs and its engagement with UNESCO. 
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.05192

Initiative: NSERC CWSE Chair Renewals & QAI Partnership
Date: July 9, 2025 
Location: Ontario, Canada 
Details: NSERC announced the renewal of the Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) held by Dr. Shohini Ghose and Dr. Laleh Behjat. Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI) joined as an official partner in the program. CRQIT looks forward to supporting continued efforts to advance equity, leadership, and opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in STEM and the quantum sector. 
Link: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NewsDetail-DetailNouvelles_eng.asp?ID=1536

Event: AIMS Quantum Hackothon (Quantathon)

Date: July 10, 2025 
Location: Ghana, Accra 
Details: Maïté Dupuis represented CRQIT at the AIMS Quantum Hackothon (Quantathon) in Ghana, part of the AIMS QTEdu Global Event. Maïté participated in a panel on “Leveraging Quantum Technologies and AI to Transform Industry: Opportunities, Digital Gap, and Ethics”. 

Event: A Quantum of Hope, Perimeter Institute 25th Anniversary Theatre Event
Date: September 20-21, 2025 
Location: Waterloo, Canada 
Details: Dr. Gang Xu of CRQIT was involved in a Perimeter Institute 25th anniversary outreach event featuring a dramatic reading of A Quantum of Hope, a one act theatre production created by Perimeter Institute Physics Master’s Program alumni. The event blended science, creativity, and public engagement through theatrical storytelling, with post-performance discussions involving quantum researchers and members of the creative team. 
Link: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/news/spotlight-original-live-theatre-perimeter-quantum-hope

Initiative: UNESCO COMEST Consultation
Date: September 2025 
Details: CRQIT is engaging in consultations with UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) to develop ethical frameworks for emerging technologies. 
Link: https://en.unesco.org/themes/ethics-science-and-technology/comest

Panel: “Quantum for Good”, Quantum.Tech Europe 2025 
Date: September 29 - October 1, 2025 
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands 
Details: At Quantum.Tech Europe 2025, Dr. Shohini Ghose joined leaders from NASA, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Girls in Quantum for the panel “Quantum NOW – Analysing the Commercial Impact of Quantum, and How We Can Use Quantum for Good.”  
Link: https://www.alphaevents.com/events-quantumtech

Event: Year of Quantum Across Canada, From Fundamental Science to Applications
Date: October 6-9, 2025 
Location: Waterloo, Canada 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose served as Scientific Organizer and Convener for the Year of Quantum Across Canada, From Fundamental Science to Applications conference hosted at Perimeter Institute in collaboration with the Institute for Quantum Computing. The conference celebrated the centenary of quantum mechanics and aimed to strengthen the quantum information science community in Canada and internationally, bringing together researchers to discuss advances from fundamental science to applications. 

Publication: Research on Demographics of the Physics Community
Date: November 20, 2025 
Location: Online 
Details: A newly published national study co-authored by CRQIT’s Dr. Shohini Ghose reveals significant gaps in diversity across Canada’s physics community. The Canadian Physics Counts survey provides the first comprehensive Canadian data on nonbinary and gender-diverse physicists, as well as on Black (1.2%) and Indigenous (0.3%) physicists.  
Link: https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2025-0126

Initiative: International Year of Quantum (IYQ) North American ELSA Workshop
Date: November 2025 
Location: Virtual (North America) 
Details: As part of the International Year of Quantum (IYQ) activities, the Centre for Responsible Quantum Innovation and Technology (CRQIT) hosted a virtual North American workshop focused on the ELSA (ethical, legal and societal aspects) of quantum technologies. The workshop was held in preparation for the upcoming IYQ event in Istanbul. Insights and recommendations gathered during this session will contribute to the international documentation and action plan emerging from the Istanbul meeting. 
Link: N/A (internal/virtual workshop)  

Publication: An Actionable Approach to EDI in STEM
Date: November 2025 
Location: Online 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose published “An Actionable Approach to EDI in STEM” in the Canadian Science Policy Magazine. The article highlights equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as foundational to responsible science and innovation and introduces the CHART framework, Compensation, Hiring, Action, Responsiveness, and Transformation, as an evidence based roadmap for advancing systemic change in STEM. 
Link: https://sciencepolicy.ca/posts/an-actionable-approach-to-edi-in-stem/

Panel: Quantum Education Summit Outreach Initiatives
Date: December 3-5, 2025 
Location: Barcelona, Spain 
Details: Maïté Dupuis participated in an outreach initiatives panel at the Quantum Education Summit, presenting “Making Quantum Concepts Accessible: Empowering Teachers to Spark Curiosity in Teens.” The session explored practical tools and strategies for high-school educators to introduce quantum concepts in an accessible and engaging way, helping inspire curiosity and confidence in the next generation of scientists. 
Link: https://quantumeducationsummit.eu/

Initiative: Quantum Science and Technology for Sustainable Development Conference (QSTSD) Advisory Role
Date: December 10-11, 2025 
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose served on the Advisory Committee for the Quantum Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (QSTSD) Conference held in conjunction with Quantum Winter School. The conference convened global scientists, policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to explore the role of quantum technologies in advancing sustainable development across sectors including ICT infrastructure, healthcare, energy, climate, and finance. 
Link: https://ku.events/QSTSD/

Presentation: National Research Council (NRC) 
Date: February 16, 2024 
Location: Online 
Details: CRQIT presented to the NRC on the CCA report Quantum Potential, focusing on the responsible adoption of quantum technologies. 
Link: https://nrc.canada.ca/en

Signatory: Women in Quantum Manifesto
Date: May 24, 2024 
Details: CRQIT’s Dr. Shohini Ghose endorsed the Women for Quantum -- Manifesto of Values, promoting diversity and inclusion in quantum science. 
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.02612

Launch: CRQIT at IQT 
Date: June 6, 2024 
Location: Vancouver, Canada 
Details: CRQIT was officially launched during a panel discussion at the Inside Quantum Technology (IQT) event, convening industry leaders to discuss advancements and ethical considerations in quantum technology. 
Link: https://iqtevent.com/vancouver/

Launch: CRQIT Website 
Date: June 6, 2024 
Details: CRQIT unveiled its official webpage, serving as a hub for information on responsible quantum innovation and technology. 
Link: https://www.qai.ca/centre-for-responsible-quantum-innovation-and-technology

Engagement: Quantum Advisory Council 
Date: July 2024 (TBC) Details: CRQIT provided recommendations to the Quantum Advisory Council, which offers impartial advice to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and monitors the progress of the National Quantum Strategy. 
Link: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/national-quantum-strategy/en/quantum-advisory-council

Panel: Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) 
Date: September 10, 2024 
Location: Washington, D.C., USA 
Details: CRQIT participated in a panel on global cyber capacity building and the role of quantum technologies at the GFCE Annual Meeting. 
Link: https://thegfce.org/event/global-annual-meeting-2024/

Presentation: UNESCO Quantum Ethics 
Date: September 16, 2024 
Location: UNESCO HQ, Paris (in-person) and online 
Details: CRQIT presented at UNESCO's High-Level Panel on the Ethics of Quantum Computing, addressing ethical considerations in quantum technology. 
Link: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391199

Panel: Canada’s National Quantum Strategy at IEEE Quantum Week
Date: September 17, 2024 
Location: Montreal, Canada 
Details: CRQIT organized a panel exploring strategic initiatives, collaboration opportunities, and technological advancements to establish Canada's leadership in quantum computing and ethics. 
Link: https://qce.quantum.ieee.org/2024/program/panels-abstracts/#pan05

Presentation: IBM TechXchange 
Date: October 21-24, 2024 (Exact Date TBC) 
Location: Las Vegas, USA 
Details: Feite Kraay from Leap Quantik gave an insightful presentation on behalf of CRQIT emphasizing responsible quantum adoption. This conference on responsible quantum innovation and ethical practices boasted a key industry forum with over 5000 attendees. 
Link: https://www.ibm.com/community/ibm-techxchange-conference-agenda/

Publication: Quantum Security and Ethics 
Date: November 7, 2024 
Details: CRQIT’s Dr. Shohini Ghose contributed to an article discussing preparedness for Q Day and the ethical implications of quantum computing. 
Link: https://www.cigionline.org/articles/q-day-is-coming-is-the-world-prepared/

Quantum Case Study: CSPC EDI Symposium: Quantum Case Study 
Date: November 20, 2024 
Location: Ottawa, Canada 
Details: CRQIT participated in a panel discussing ethics, sustainability, and EDI in quantum technologies at the Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC). 
Link: https://sciencepolicyconference.ca

Event: Quantum World Congress Quantum and Sustainability Workshop 
Date: September 26-28, 2023 
Location: Washington, D.C., USA 
Details: CRQIT participated in a workshop on quantum and sustainability, focusing on integrating sustainable practices in quantum technology development. 
Link: https://events.registr8.com/catalog/assets/attendee/3A1BACCA-B528-453C-A453-C1390BF3EA19/catalog 

Publication & Award: Her Space, Her Time 
Date: October 17, 2023 
Location: Online 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose authored Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe, published by MIT Press. The book highlights the scientific contributions of historically underrecognized women physicists and astronomers and explores how their work shaped modern understandings of the universe while addressing broader questions of visibility, equity, and inclusion in science. The book won the SWCC 2023 Book Award in the General Category. 
Link: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048316/her-space-her-time/ 

Publication: Quantum Potential 
Date: November 30, 2023 
Location: Canada 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose served as a member of the Expert Panel on the Responsible Adoption of Quantum Technologies for the Council of Canadian Academies report Quantum Potential. The report examines opportunities and challenges associated with the adoption of quantum technologies in Canada, including economic potential, policy considerations, ethical and social implications, and the need for responsible innovation frameworks. 
Link: https://cca-reports.ca/reports/quantum-technologies/ 

Publication: How To Bring Fair Play to the Science Nobels 
Date: November 16, 2023 
Location: Online 
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose published an opinion piece in Undark Magazine titled “How To Bring Fair Play to the Science Nobels.” The article examined inequities in the Nobel Prize selection process and advocated for reforms to address historical exclusions, improve equity and inclusion in scientific recognition, and better reflect the collaborative nature of scientific discovery. 
Link: https://undark.org/2023/11/16/opinion-fair-science-nobels/ 

Initiative: Participation in the Quantum Dialogues Project 
Date: Ongoing Location: Sherbrooke, Canada 
Details: CRQIT is participating in the Quantum Dialogues Research Project at Université de Sherbrooke, exploring the societal impacts of quantum technologies as a potential mitigation strategy for unintended consequences. 
Link: https://inspirehep.net/literature/2868460 

Women in Quantum Interviews 
Date: Ongoing 
Details: Led by Ana Ciocoiu, this project features interviews highlighting women's contributions to the quantum ecosystem in Canada. 

Initiative: UNESCO Global Quantum Initiative Working Group 5
Date: Ongoing
Location: International
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose was invited to join Working Group 5 of UNESCO’s Global Quantum Initiative, focused on fostering responsible quantum innovation and anticipatory governance. The initiative brings together international stakeholders to address the societal, ethical, and governance dimensions of quantum technologies and help ensure that the development of quantum technologies is inclusive, responsible, and forward-looking. The Global Quantum Initiative is part of UNESCO’s broader effort to build global capacity, advance quantum education, and strengthen international cooperation.
Link: https://www.unesco.org/en/global-quantum-initiative

Initiative: CCC Visioning Workshop on the Social Foundations of Quantum Computing
Date: Ongoing
Location: United States / International
Details: Dr. Shohini Ghose was invited by Emanuel Moss, Senior Scientist at Intel, to help co-organize a Computing Community Consortium (CCC) Visioning Workshop focused on the social foundations of quantum computing. The workshop aims to explore the social, societal, and interdisciplinary dimensions shaping the development and adoption of quantum computing. Participation provides an opportunity for CRQIT to contribute its perspective on responsible quantum innovation while strengthening connections across the quantum computing, social science, and technology policy communities.
Link: https://cra.org/ccc/visioning

Research: ELSA of Quantum Technologies in North America
Date: Ongoing
Location: North America
Details: CRQIT is contributing to research examining the ethical, legal, and social aspects (ELSA) of quantum technologies in North America. The paper builds on discussions from an International Year of Quantum Science and Technology workshop and explores the broader societal dimensions and potential implications of quantum technologies. Following peer review, the paper received a request for revisions, and work is currently underway to address the reviewers’ feedback and strengthen the research for publication.