Renowned scholar to address the complexities of the science and policy relationship
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Policy program keynote event will feature research policymaking advocate Roger Pielke, Jr., on April 11 at 4 p.m.
Many of today’s most pressing challenges are at the science-policy interface, where research and technology must coincide with policymaking to enact real change.
This challenging intersection will be the focus of this spring’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Policy (STEP) program keynote seminar on Thursday, April 11, at 4 p.m. The public event will feature the virtual presentation “Uncomfortable Knowledge in Science and Policy” by Roger Pielke Jr., a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, writer, and environmental studies professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“More than ever, effective policy depends upon the input of experts. But securing that input requires that we experts work to build trust with the public and politicians,” Pielke said. “Recent evidence shows that trust may be at risk in some contexts. The good news is that we can do better, and we should.”
The keynote will take place via Zoom. A watch party will be held in 311 Latham Hall with light snacks provided. Advanced registration for both is strongly encouraged.
Throughout his career, Pielke has contributed to policymaking through his research, including on the politicization of science, decision-making, policy education for scientists, and governance research in sports organizations such as FIFA and the NCAA. He has testified before Congress, and his book “Honest Broker” is highly cited and regularly assigned reading to those interested in unpacking science-policy interactions.
“Few people have grappled with the complexities at the science-policy interface more than Roger Pielke,” said Todd Schenk, associate professor and chair of urban affairs and planning in the School of Public and International Affairs and STEP program director. “Over his 30-plus year career, Pielke has made important contributions to debates ranging from climate science to sports governance, and his analysis challenges established norms and perspectives across the political spectrum, providing unique insights for seminar attendees.”
Pielke’s diverse experience aligns with the STEP program’s overall mission to strengthen the capacities of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health care students, practitioners, and scholars for effective engagement in policy processes.
“The STEP program brings together individuals from various disciplines and levels to explore and address intricate challenges at the science-policy interface,” Schenk said. “We put science into context by promoting more holistic thinking.”
As a product of Virginia Tech’s interdisciplinary +Policy Network, the STEP program aims to develop participants’ abilities to understand and collaboratively engage with complicated public problems, recognizing that they are social and technical in nature.
The +Policy Network provides a dynamic space for faculty and students to translate scholarship into practice and examine the interplay between the two and is supported by the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, contact Todd Schenk at tschenk@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
