

The Innovation and Trade research theme aims to provide a better understanding of the role of innovation in driving productivity performance and the potential impact of the intellectual property provisions in trade agreements in facilitating or hindering productivity growth. As attention has shifted from the removal of trade barriers, such as tariffs and other import charges, toward establishing a global intellectual property framework, the structure of these new agreements will be critical in determining whether businesses in open mid-sized advanced economies, such as Canada, can remain competitive in the global economy. This research theme aims to contribute to the discussion on how to create a policy environment that can allow Canada’s innovation sector to thrive.
Susan Ariel Aaronson is a senior fellow with the Global Economy Program. She is an expert in international trade, digital trade, corruption and good governance, and human rights. As part of her work for CIGI, Susan is currently developing a digital trade and digital protectionism strategy for Canada. She is also co-authoring a paper with Senior Fellow Patrick Leblond about China’s efforts to be a leader in the digital trade sphere.
James Bacchus is a senior fellow with CIGI’s International Law Research Program, as well as the Distinguished University Professor of Global Affairs and director of the Center for Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity at the University of Central Florida.
Joël Blit is a CIGI senior fellow researching the topic of innovation, including exploring intellectual property rights, closing Canada’s innovation gap, and the link between Canadian immigration and innovation. Joël is assistant professor of economics at the University of Waterloo, with expertise in the economics of innovation, technology clusters, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, international trade and multinational corporations.
Senior Fellow Dan Ciuriak joined CIGI’s Global Economy Program in April 2016, focusing on the innovation and trade research theme. At CIGI, Dan is exploring the interface between Canada’s domestic innovation and international trade and investment, including the development of better metrics to assess the impact of Canada’s trade agreements on innovation outcomes. Based in Ottawa, Dan is the director and principal of Ciuriak Consulting, Inc.
Dieter Ernst is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), focusing on unresolved challenges for the global governance of trade, intellectual property and innovation.
Patricia Goff is a CIGI Senior Fellow. She is also an associate professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. She specializes in international political economy, with a particular interest in trade, intellectual property, and the cultural capacity of international organizations. At CIGI, Patricia’s research will focus on global, plurilateral and regional trade arrangements.
Bernard M. Hoekman is a senior research fellow with CIGI's International Law Research Program.
Olena Ivus is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), focusing on the interface between Canada's domestic innovation and international trade.
Patrick Leblond is a CIGI senior fellow with the Global Economy Program. He is an expert in global economic governance and international political economy, regional economic integration, financial regulation, and business and public policy. At CIGI, Patrick specializes in the investigation of international trade in the areas of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Meredith Lilly is a senior fellow with CIGI’s Global Security & Politics Program, effective February 2017. At CIGI, Meredith’s research is focused on trade policy, Canada-US relations and international security issues.