Community Lecture Series Science for Change
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This lecture series brings top minds to The University of Texas at Austin to speak about how scientists advance our social and economic future. It's about what scientists can do outside of the laboratory or doctor's office. We live in an age when scientific discoveries are expanding the minds and improving the quality of life of all people on Earth. Science and technology are at the core of our nation's prosperity, providing the economic advantage for our nation to compete in a global economy. Now, more than ever, our nation needs citizen scientists who will step out of the confines of universities and into public life to provide the leadership our nation requires. Join us for the Science for Change lecture series, in which government leaders in public policy, education and economic policy tell us how they contribute to our future, and how you can too. Sponsored by Scientists for Tomorrow and the National Science Foundation 2012 ScheduleApril 16, 2012
Speaker: Neal Lane, Malcolm Gillis University Professor at Rice University, holds appointments as Senior Fellow of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Prior to returning to Rice University in January 2001, Dr. Lane served in the Clinton Administration as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and before that as Director of the National Science Foundation. He was Rice's Provost and Professor of Physics prior to his time in Washington. He received his B.S., M.S., and PhD (1964) in physics at the University of Oklahoma. His thesis advisor was Chun C. Lin (currently at the University of Wisconsin - Madison). Dr. Lane is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been awarded over a dozen honorary degrees and received several other honors, including in 2009, the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal, the American Institute of Physics K.T. Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics and the Association of Rice Alumni Gold Medal for service to Rice University. He belongs to a number of professional associations and serves on several boards and advisory committees. The fundamental framework for the U.S. federal government's role in managing science and technology was established at the end of WWII and, while not precisely as Vannevar Bush envisaged, has not changed much in over 60 years. Meanwhile, essentially every aspect of our lives in this country and around the world has changed in profound ways, much of that due to science and technology. There are troubling signs that the present science and technology policy apparatus is failing to account for the rapid pace of discovery, increased demands for tangible benefits, and shifts in the relative position of the U.S. in the world. It may be time for a change. A few suggestions will be offered to begin that process. When: April 16, 5:30pm with a reception
April 24, 2012How Scientists Serve as National Policy Advisors Speaker: Joye Purser, former legislative aide to U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas and now an analyst at the Department of Defense In a nation with an increasingly educated populace, scientists have never been better poised to make lasting contributions to our national policy dialogue. Polls consistently demonstrate that the American public has a high level of confidence in our scientific and medical institutions. Our fellow citizens regard scientists as the most respected and admired members of our society – so why not utilize this good will to responsibly inform science and technology policy? Dr. Joye Purser has worked in many policy settings in Washington: congressional staffer, nonprofit advocate, campaign operative, federal employee, and lobbyist. She will explain how becoming a "citizen scientist" can involve a relatively small, focused effort – or can develop into a full-time career. Either way, there are rules of engagement and individual aptitudes that can determine whether prospective science policy wonks can succeed in and enjoy such a path. When: April 24, 5pm with a reception
Past EventsJanuary 31, 2012
Speaker: Joshua Mandell, Science, Technology and Innovation Program Officer at The World Bank Young scientists, engineers and innovation experts can play a critical role in the process of international development. Learn more from Mr. Mandell, who has leveraged a science career at the World Bank, the White House and the British Embassy. If you thought science only happens in labs, think again! When: January 31st, 5pm with a reception
February 28, 2012
Speaker: Mike Holland, Senior Advisor and Staff Director at the Office of the Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy When: February 28th, 3:30pm with a reception
March 21, 2012
Speaker: Deborah Koolbeck, MA, Former Legislative Director in Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office. Deborah Koolbeck, a particle physicist, worked for more than 6 years in the US House of Representatives. With no two days alike, from late night legislative language negotiations to early morning meetings with Cabinet Secretaries or Nobel Laureates, the intensity of public service is clear, and dimensionally different than her previous careers in science and education. With every day an honor and privilege to serve the nation, Deborah will share how a scientist has successfully weaved her way through the beltway traffic full of policy wonks. When: March 21, 5pm with a reception
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