International Policy Ideas Challenge

Christo Hall

Canada’s role in strengthening the G7’s Hiroshima AI Process

Christo Hall is a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy in Digital Society program and a research assistant at McMaster University’s Digital Society Lab. Previously, he was a researcher for the Global AI Risks Initiative at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), where he studied the underrepresentation of civil society in the development of AI standards and advocated for balanced, multi-stakeholder processes to effectively interpret fundamental human rights in frontier AI standards. Together with IPIC collaborator Emily Osborne, their work on the Hiroshima AI Process has been published in Tech Policy Press. Prior to working in technology policy, he was an assistant editor of a global health journal and a biotech communications specialist. He also holds a BA in Linguistics from University College London

Collaborator: Emily Osborne

Emily Osborne is a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy in Digital Society Program. She is now a Policy Research Associate at the Canadian SHIELD Institute and a Fellow at the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP). Formerly, she worked as a Researcher with the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s (CIGI) Global AI Risks Initiative team. At CIGI, she conducted in-depth research on AI governance, with a particular focus on benefit-sharing mechanisms to distribute the benefits of powerful AI systems equitably. Emily’s work has been published in Tech Policy Press, alongside co-author Christo Hall, and in The Globe and Mail. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. 

Fabrice Blais-Savoie

Mapping Data Infrastructure: The First Step to Operationalizing Data Sovereignty

Fabrice is a student in the Master of Public Policy at Balsillie School of International Affairs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from Bishop’s University. He has extensive professional experience in policy making and international relations within the Quebec government, working as both an international affairs advisor for the Ministry of Higher Education and an international trade policy advisor for the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy. He also has considerable academic experience, presenting at the 2023 edition of the Canadian Undergraduate Security Conference and organizing the 2024 edition. He is an emerging scholar with the Network for Strategic Analysis, having recently published a policy report with them. He was also a member of the Groupe de recherche en communication politique (Laval University). His academic work lies at the nexus of trade, security, and technology, studying issues of data flows and usages of AI for defence and trade policy.

Fouâd Oveisy

A Canada-EU-UK Coalition for a Balanced Digital World Order

Fouâd Oveisy is a PhD student in Political Science at York University and a former lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Toronto. He previously completed a PhD with an emphasis in Critical Theory at the University of California, Irvine. His current research examines the geopolitical stakes of cyber sovereignty, the strategic contradictions of the Sino-American rivalry over AI, and the role of digital infrastructure in global governance. He is also developing a generative AI model for ethically grounded simulations of international relations and global political economy. His research agenda addresses Canada’s digital strategy by modelling and forecasting how the digital revolution reshapes Canada’s position within great-power competition and the international division of labour. A former SSHRC fellow, he currently serves as a research assistant on a digital governance project led by Professor Jennifer Pybus, Associate Professor, Department of Politics at York University.

Gabrielle Lavigne-Couture

Responding to the strategic opening of the Northwest Passage: strengthening Canada's climate diplomacy and international cooperation within the G7

Gabrielle Lavigne-Couture is a master's student in international studies (international relations) as part of a joint program between l’Université Laval and Sciences Po Bordeaux. Her research focuses on social inequalities and food security in the Canadian Arctic, with a particular focus on the impact of legal dualism on Inuit rights. Committed and rigorous, she is interested in global policies from the perspective of social justice, ecological transition, and international law. With extensive experience in market analysis, international development, and representation at diplomatic events such as the International Conference on Francophone Economics, she combines skills in interdisciplinary research, science communication, and strategic writing.

Christopher Sterling-Murphy

G7 Drug Checking Network: Coordinated Surveillance

Christopher Sterling-Murphy is a doctoral student at University of Windsor’s School of Social Work. His dissertation will examine the intersections of substance use, sexual activity, and addiction using grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews with people in recovery from substance use disorder. He was the recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship in 2025. Christopher holds a Master of Social Work from King’s University College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. Christopher currently works as a crisis social worker at a community-based crisis centre. Prior to his doctoral studies, Christopher worked for five years with children and families providing outpatient counselling and therapy and other social work services. Christopher has published research investigating the sex education needs of undergraduate and masters social work students, and the intersections of sexual activity, substance use, and addiction. Christopher has also supported research teams investigating the experiences of people living with HIV, individuals accessing safer supply programs, and healthcare providers involved in safer supply programs.

Mejgan Shefa

Economic Security and Prosperity: Leveraging Canada’s Critical Minerals and Strategic Partnerships

Mejgan Shefa is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She is passionate about environmental racism, foreign policy, and economic resilience and growth. She is committed to driving transformative change that centers equity, justice, and the lived experiences of rights holders. Fluent in three languages, Mejgan brings an intersectional and global lens to her work, with a deep belief in the importance of inclusive, community-driven policymaking. She has contributed to poverty reduction initiatives with the City of Toronto. She is currently engaged in research on environmental justice, with a focus on the implementation gaps within Canada’s Bill C-226. Her recent work explores the need for community-led environmental assessments, stronger accountability frameworks, and the integration of environmental racism into public education and curriculum development. Outside of her academic interests, Mejgan enjoys writing on policy matters and staying actively engaged in the evolving landscape of Canadian politics. She is particularly drawn to projects that challenge structural inequities and build toward a more resilient, informed, and inclusive future.

Collaborator: Sahar Hamdam

Sahar Hamdam is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of the University of Toronto. She has a strong academic background in Sociology, Women’s Studies, and French. Sahar is passionate about promoting equity-focused policies through data-driven analysis and inclusive stakeholder engagement. As a mentor with the Global Ideas Institute, she helps students develop innovative policy solutions to tackle global challenges. Her recent work with the France-Canada Chamber of Commerce and her experience in the financial and insurance sectors have enhanced her understanding of regulatory systems, client advocacy, and effective communication. Sahar is a multilingual and community-oriented advocate dedicated to making public policy more accessible, responsive, and just.

Collaborator: Julia Chapman

Julia Chapman is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the University of Toronto’s Munk School, with a strong academic background in Political Science and English. She has contributed to Indigenous policy development with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Relations Canada (CIRNAC) and conducted impactful research on QTBIPOC activism and youth mental health. Beyond academics, she is active in journalism and podcasting, blending communication with public policy to inform and engage diverse audiences.

Savannah Harlan

A G7 Framework for Transparency: Mandating Public Disclosure of AI Training Data

Savannah is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and an M.A. student in Political Science at York University. Her research focuses on AI safety, data governance, and the intersection of technology and public policy. She holds a Bachelor of Laws with a focus on intellectual property rights. Savannah’s current work explores the regulatory implications of synthetic data and transparency in AI systems.