Promoting dialogue among scholars,
policy experts, and the public about
the role of science in society

Three Bets on our Economy, our Ecology, and the Future of Public Health: A vision of the future from a biologist, cancer survivor, and mother

Dr. Sandra Steingraber

4pm Tuesday, March 31st

UW Physics/Astronomy Auditorium A118 map

Free and open to the Public

Ecologist, author, and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. is an expert on the environmental links to cancer and reproductive health. She received her doctorate in biology from the University of Michigan and master's degree in English from Illinois State University. Steingraber's highly acclaimed book, Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment presents cancer as a human rights issue. She is recognized for her ability to serve as a two-way translator between scientists and activists, and recipient of awards for "excellence in medical communication," "inspiring and poetic use of science to elucidate causes of cancer," and the Rachel Carson Leadership Award. Steingraber is currently a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Ithaca College.

Dr. Steingraber's visit is partially sponsored by Greenlaw. She will also be speaking at the Law School at 12:30 pm on 3/31 in room 133. Click for more info

FOSEP discussion - Scientists and the Media

Speaker: Dr. Cliff Mass, UW Department of Atmospheric Sciences

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5pm

Location: Foege N230

Food will be provided

Dr. Cliff Mass is a regular guest on Seattle's National Public Radio station KUOW to discuss the weather.  He has also recently published a book directed at the general reader titled "The Weather of the Pacific Northwest".  The discussion will focus on how scientists interact with the media how to communicate with the public through the media.

K-12 Math and Science Education: A Scientist meets Reality

Dr. Robert Eisenstein

Santa Fe Alliance For Science

Thursday, December 4th

1:30-2:30 pm

Hitchcock 132

Eisenstein is a retired physicist and the co- founder the Santa Fe Alliance For Science, a non-profit organization of volunteers working to help improve K-12 math and science education in the Santa Fe area. He spent many years on the physics faculties of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Illinois. He also spent more than a decade at the National Science Foundationas head of the Physics Division and Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and for a brief time was president of the Santa Fe Institute.

Sponsored in part by the Molecular and Cellular Biology Interdisciplinary Training Program & the Department of Physics

US Energy Policy; Priorities for the Next Administration

October 16th, 7-9pm

UW Campus, Kane Hall room 130

Streaming video of the forum!

Our expert panel was moderated by Steve Scher of KUOW's Weekday.

Download a pdf of the Program

The Panelists

Science

Tom Ackerman, Ph.D.---Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington

Policy

David Goldston---former Chief of Staff for the House Committee on Science, and columnist for "Nature"

Industry

Tom Zimmerman---National Petroleum Council, and Schlumberger Ltd.

Economics

Joshua Linn Ph.D.---Environmental Economics and Industrial Organization, University of Illinois at Chicago

Happiness, Business & the Environment

Gifford Pinchot III

Wednesday, October 1st, 4:00-5:00 pm

in HUB 106B

Gifford Pinchot is a well-known author, speaker and consultant on innovation management. He is the president and co-founder of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, which offers an MBA that integrates sustainability and social responsibility with innovation and profit. He also leads Pinchot & Company, a firm that helps to launch new businesses and implement more sustainable business practices. His best-selling book INTRAPRENEURING defined the ground rules for an emerging field of enterprise: the courageous pursuit of new ideas in established organizations. Sponsored in part by the Program on the Environment and the Department of Biochemistry.

Science on Tap in association with FOSEP presents:

Paying Attention to Stress and how it Affects the Brain

Dr. John Medina

UW Department of Bioengineering

July 28th 2008, 7pm

Science on Tapis a place where anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed atmosphere. This event is happening at

Save the date!

US Energy Policy: Science, Economics, and Future Outlook

October 16th, 2008

Kane Hall Room 130

7-9pm

Healthy skepticism about Drug Promotion: Ethical Issues and Policy Recommendations

Peter Mansfield

University of Adelaide, Australia

Director of Healthy Skepticism, Inc.

Monday, June 16, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Health Sciences Building T -639

Dr. Peter Mansfield is a Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. He is the founder and director of Healthy Skepticism Inc, an international non-profit organization, which aims to improve health by reducing harm from misleading drug promotion. It provides research, education and advocacy services for academics and campaigners concerned about misleading pharmaceutical marketing and related issues.

This seminar is sponsored in part by the Department of Medical History and Ethics

Coming soon: more FOSEP events in 2008

In the meantime, check out our newest Annual Report from 2006-2007 !

Do you want to know how to get more involved?

If you are Graduate Student or Postdoctoral Fellow

at the University of Washington or FHCRC

Join FOSEP Now

How to get involved:

1) The academic outreach committee plans 3-5 seminars on campus every year. They invite nationally regarded speakers to talk about how their work impacts science AND society. You might have attended Matthew Nisbet's talk on framing Science or Nalini Nadkarni's talk on science outreach earlier in the fall of 2007. Email Clemens or Andy if planning an event this sounds interesting.

2) FOSEP sponsors periodic discussion groups to tackle current issues of science policy and ethics. If you would like to try your hand at arranging informal (curriculum-free) discussion groups for the benefit of FOSEP members, you could work with Anne-Marie.

3) Do you want to curate a FOSEP topics page? If so, email Beth.

FOSEP Discussion

"Working Race: an interdisciplinary discussion on the scientific uses of racial and ethnic identities and categories"

Moderator: Joon-Ho Yu

December 4, 2007 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Health Sciences T-360

Please read the following articles before coming to the discussion. Food will be served!

Racial Categories in Medical Practice: How Useful Are They? Braun et al. 2007 PLoS Medicine Vol4 Issue 9 pp. 1423 - 1427. Racial Categories in Medicine: A Failure of Evidence-Based Practice? Ellison et al. 2007 PLoS Medicine Vol4 Issue 9 pp. 1434 - 1436.

Poets, Prisoners, and Preachers as Partners in Science Outreach: The

Research Ambassador Program

Dr. Nalini Nadkarni

Faculty Member, Evergreen State College

President, The International Canopy Network

November 5, 2007 4 pm PAA - A118

Discussion to follow at 5:30 pm in HSB T-663

Dr. Nalini Nadkarni is known as "The Queen of the Forest Canopy". She is on the faculty at The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington. Her research concerns the ecology of tropical and temperate forest canopies, particularly the roles that canopy-dwelling plants play in forests. In 1994, she co-founded the International Canopy Network, a non-profit organization to foster communication among researchers, educators, and conservationists concerned with forest canopies. Dr. Nadkarni's recent efforts are to integrate aspects of artistic expression with scientific documentation of the natural world. She has recently expanded her outreach work by establishing the NSF-funded "Research Ambassador Program" in which she trains other scientists to do outreach to non-traditional public audiences in non-traditional venues, such as prisons, churches, skateboard parks, and rap music clubs.

This seminar is sponsored by the Cell and Molecular Biology Training Grant.

Indirect Truths: Research and Public Scholarship in the Nation's Capital

Matthew Nisbet

Husky Union Building HUB 106B

Friday, October 5, 2007 11:00 AM

Professor Nisbet is a social scientist who studies the nature and impacts of strategic communication.

His current work tracks scientific and environmental controversies, examining the interactions between experts, journalists, and various publics. In this research, Nisbet studies how news coverage reflects and shapes policy, how strategists try to mold public opinion, and how citizens make sense of controversies. He has analyzed a wide range of debates, including those over stem cell research, global warming, intelligent design-creationism, plant biotechnology, and hurricanes. Nisbet tracks current events related to strategic communication at his blog, Framing Science, which was recently recognized by the NY Daily News as one of the Web's top political blogs. Discussion group to follow: "When Science turns Political: Tips and Tools for Communicating Science" with Matt Nisbet and Chris Mooney at 3pm in Communications Building CMU 126

Science On Tap and FOSEP present

The Botany of Chocolate

Alfredo Gomez-Beloz, Dept. of Epidemiology, University of Washington

September 24, 2007 7 pm

Ravenna Third Place Pub (downstairs from the bookstore)

Click here for more information

Ravenna Third Place Bookstore in Seattle is at the corner of 20th Ave NE and NE 65th Street. Free parking is available.

The Net Neutrality Debate and What it Means For Innovation on the Internet

Keith Kegley

VP Product Development, Spot Runner

Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:30 pm

Electrical Engineering Building EEB 125, UW Seattle Campus

Keith Kegley is an experienced technology evangelist and entrepreneur. He has worked for IBM, Microsoft, Spot Runner

and has started and sold two technology companies. Keith worked for Microsoft for 13 years and while there pitched and then led the project that became Universal Serial Bus (USB), he also launched the ergonomic keyboard product line and was an early member of the technology and product teams that shipped Internet Explorer, Internet Information Server and MSN. In his last role he built and launched a new micro-payment platform used by Xbox, Zune and Microsoft Windows to support online transactions in emerging markets and low cost digital downloads in 23 markets. Keith currently leads the Product Development effort for Spot Runner, a new technology startup based in Los Angeles, that has a revolutionary new approach to produce and purchase television advertising. Internet neutrality is the concept that the physical implementation of the internet should be neutral to its content. The concept gained visibility when telecom companies considered prioritizing internet access to selective content - either by linking fast or quality connection to a webpage to a fee, or by transmitting their own preferred material preferentially. Telecom companies, on the other hand, argue that they have the right to use a capitalistic model to offer their clients competitive services, and disagree that allowing this behavior will impede the flow of information. They see only unnecessary government interference. Read More: Full Abstract Much work to be done to preserve net neutrality, Seattle Times, Feb. 2, 2007 H.R. 5252: Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006 Defeat for net neutrality backers, BBC, June 9, 2006 This seminar was sponsored by the UW Department of Computer Science

Climate Change: Do we know enough to take action? The use of scientific "uncertainty" in the policy debate over climate change

Dr. Andrew Dessler, Texas A&M University

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:00 pm

Physics and Astronomy Building PAA A102, UW Seattle Campus

Andrew Dessler is an environmental scientist who is actively engaged in research on both the science and politics of climate change. His scientific research revolves around climate feedbacks, in particular how water vapor and clouds act to amplify warming from the carbon dioxide that humans emit. His interest in the politics of climate change arose after spending the last year of the Clinton Administration as a Senior Policy Analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Based on that experience, he coauthored a book, The science and politics of global climate change: A guide to the debate. He is presently an associate professor in the Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University. His educational background includes a B.A. in physics from Rice University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University. He also did postdoctoral work at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and spent nine years on the research faculty of the University of Maryland. He is also an avid glider pilot, where each flight puts his theoretical knowledge of the atmosphere to a concrete test. This seminar was sponsored by the UW College of Forest Resources and the UW Program on Climate Change. Click here to download a PDF of Dr. Dessler's talk

Discussion Group: Women in Science

Christina Surawicz, M.D.

Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, University of Washington School of Medicine

Tuesday March 6, 2007, 5:30 pm Health Sciences T-478

Food and Beverages will be served

Are women at a disadvantage when it comes to succeeding in science and engineering? Despite the increased numbers of female students in science and engineering over the past few decades, women are not found in the same proportions in the upper levels of science and engineering academia. A recent article in the New York Times explores these important issues: Women in Science: The Battle Moves to the Trenches
Cornelia Dean. New York Times. (Late Edition (east Coast)). New York, N.Y.:Dec 19, 2006. p. F.1 (note: abstract only, subscription required to view entire article) Dr. Surawicz graduated with honors from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1973. She completed Internal Medicine residency and a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Washington school of medicine in Seattle, following which she joined the faculty in the Gastroenterology Division. She is now Professor of Medicine as well as Section Chief in Gastroenterology at Harborview Medical Center, one of the teaching hospitals. She was appointed in 2002 as the first Assistant Dean for Faculty Development for the medical school, a position she still holds. She has had extensive experience in clinical research, teaching and administration, and continues to be active clinically in gastroenterology. She has been listed in Best Doctors in America and America's Top Doctors several times. On a national level, she served as chair of the American College of Gastroenterology women's committee and was the founding chair of the Gastroenterology women's coalition which brought together women's groups from the 4 major GI societies in 1992. She served as the President of the American College of Gastroenterology in 1998-99. She was President of the Western Association of Physicians in 2005-06. She has extensive clinical experience with Clostridium difficile infection and research on the use of probiotics to treat recurrent C. difficile disease.

Discussion Group: The Ethics of Transplantation

Joana Ramos, MSW

Cancer Resources and Advocacy, Seattle, WA

Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

Dinner and beverages will be served

Joana Ramos is an independent consultant in oncology social work. She is a graduate of Boston University and the University of Washington School of Social Work. She was trained and worked as a community health educator in Brazil, where she initially served as a Peace Corps volunteer. Additionally, she was trained as a medical interpreter. currently serves as an advisor to cancer patient groups and professional organizations in the USA and several other countries, primarily in Latin America Read her talking points here

Discussion Group: Communicating Science to the public

Dr. Dennis Schatz

Vice President for Education, Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA

Co-Director, Washington State Leadership Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER)

November 8th, 2006

5:30-6:30 pm

Health Sciences Bulding T-478

How can we make science more pervasive in society - not just something that happens in school, but something people pursue in their free time? Come and discuss this important question with Dr. Dennis Schatz. A research solar astronomer prior to his career in science education, Dr. Schatz worked at the University of California, Berkeley, prior to moving to Seattle in 1977. He provides leadership to Pacific Science Center's science education programs, which includes a broad range of programs serving teachers, students, community-based organizations and families across Washington State. He co-directs Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), a program to implement a quality K-8 science program in all 296 school districts in Washington State. He is presently President of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He has received numerous honors, including the 1996 Distinguished Informal Science Educator Award from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). He recently received NSTA? 2005 lifetime achievement award (Distinguished Service to Science Education). He is the author of 18 science books for children, including the popular Totally Series of six books (Totally Dinosaurs in 2000 to Totally Sea Creatures in 2003). Read more here Click here for a campus map

Neal Lane

The Next Two Decades in American Science

Dr. Neal Lane

Vice President for Education, Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA

Previous Director of the National Science Foundation
and the Office of Science and Technology Policy Under the Clinton Administration

November 2nd, 2006

4:00-5:30 pm

Physics Astronomy Building A 102

Dr. Neal Lane is the Malcolm Gillis University Professor at Rice University. He also holds appointments as Senior Fellow of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, where he is engaged in matters of science and technology policy, and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Prior to returning to Rice University, Dr. Lane served in the Federal government as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, from August 1998 to January 2001, and as Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and member (ex officio) of the National Science Board, from October 1993 to August 1998. Before becoming the NSF Director, Dr. Lane was Provost and Professor of Physics at Rice University in Houston, Texas, a position he had held since 1986. He first came to Rice in 1966, when he joined the Department of Physics as an assistant professor. In 1972, he became Professor of Physics and Space Physics and Astronomy. He left Rice from mid-1984 to 1986 to serve as Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In addition, from 1979 to 1980, while on leave from Rice, he worked at the NSF as Director of the Division of Physics.Widely regarded as a distinguished scientist and educator, Dr. Lane? many writings and presentations include topics in theoretical atomic and molecular physics and science and technology policy.

Roger Pielke

The Politicization of Science: A Perspective

Dr. Roger Pielke

Professor of Environmental Studies

Director, Center For Science and Technology Policy

University of Colorado at Boulder

April 8, 2005

It seems like science is in public view more so today than in the past, and not always for the best reasons. For example, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), have in recent years highlight the "misuse" of science by the Administration of George W. Bush, prompting a vigorous rebuttal. In addition, issues such as scientific advisory panels, prescription drugs, global climate change, stem cell research, and terrorism are forcing science into the public eye. Dr. Pielke's talk will take a critical perspective on the current state of science, policy, and politics in the United States with a particular emphasis on the role of experts in science in policy and politics.

Dealing With Scientific Uncertainty in Policymaking

Dr. Roger Pielke

Professor of Environmental Studies

Director, Center For Science and Technology Policy

University of Colorado at Boulder

April 7, 2005

Uncertainty is ever present in decision making. But even as scientists typically have sophisticated understandings of uncertainty itself, such understandings are infrequently accompanied by a corresponding sophistication in decision making in the face of uncertainty. This talk will discuss a range of experiences in dealing with scientific uncertainty in policymaking to suggest how the scientific community might more effectively contribute useful guidance on important policy issues characterized by fundamental uncertainties. Dr. Pielke's talk will emphasize both the use of science in decision making, but also decisions that are made about science, typically under an expectation that the results of resulting research will inform decision making. Consequently, issues of values, ethics and politics are inescapable when one confronts scientific uncertainty in policy making.

Frankenfood or Fearmongering?

The Science and Politics of Genetically Modified Food

Michael Rodemeyer, J.D.

Executive Director

Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology

February 4, 2005

Last year, American farmers grew more genetically-modified (GM) crops than ever before. About 75% of the processed foods in U.S. stores are estimated to contain ingredients derived from GM crops. Concerns have been raised about food safety and environmental risks, the ethics of seed patenting, and economic impact of GM crops on small farmers. The controversy has spilled over into the international trade arena, leading to a U.S. trade complaint against the EU, where consumer opposition to biotech foods is strong. Few technologies have generated so much global confusion and conflict as GM food. Why is this technology so controversial? The lecture will review the current state of science on GM crops and discuss the key role of values in shaping public attitudes and the different political responses to the technology around the world. Click here for the video of Mr. Rodemeyer's talk Click here to hear Mr. Rodemeyer on "The Conversation", a local news talk radio program on KUOW 94.9 Click here to see our topics page on Genetically Modified Organisms Opinion pieces by Michael Rodemeyer: Technology moves faster than regulators USA Today Corn fight, Science suffers when the debate gets personal San Francisco Chronicle

Public Forum 2004

Stem Cells: The Science, The Policy, The Possibilities

October 18, 2004

Over 750 members of the community, local scientists, and elected officials came together to explore the issues surrounding stem cell research at FOSEP's first annual Public Forum. The event featured three expert panelists: Science, therapies, and research challenges Lawrence Goldstein, Ph.D. Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Chair of Public Policy, American Society for Cell Biology
Ethical Considerations Jeffery Kahn, Ph.D., M.P.H. Director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota
Stem Cell Policy: What are our options? Anna Mastroianni, J.D., M.P.H. Assistant professor of Law and Public Health Genetics and Greenwall Faculty Scholar on Bioethics, University of Washington
blastocyst2.gif blastocyst Click here for the video of the Forum courtesy of the Seattle Channel Click here to see our topics page on Stem Cells and Cloning

Embryos and Cloning in Perspective:

The History of the Controversies

Jane Maienschein, Ph.D.

Regent's Professor and Director of the Center for Biology and Society

Arizona State University

May 14, 2004

When a new scientific advance breaks through the news barrier and enters public awareness, as cloning Dolly or culturing stem cell lines has done, questions arise. We often hear a range of views from enthusiasm to outrage. Careful reflection to assess what is really at issue and what, for that matter, is really new is woefully rare. Surely, it often seems, we are on the brink of a new cliff, about to plunge off or to soar away to new heights. Yet history's lessons teach us that momentary novelties often turn to routine and that the cliff really is often just a bump in the road. In vitro fertilization, for example, was hotly contested in the late 1970s but is now both a routine treatment for infertility and a potential source of pre-implantation embryos for research. To put our current debate in perspective, we will look at the history of embryo research with a focus on cloning, underlying epistemological assumptions, and bioethical discussions. What regulations - if any - are needed to be sure that we don't plunge off the cliff this time? In the end, Maienschein contends, we can learn a lot from history. Click here for the video of Dr. Maienschein's talk (part 1 of 2) Click here for the video of Dr. Maienschein's talk (part 2 of 2) Click here to see our topics page on Stem Cells and Cloning