What is Science Policy? Always wondered but were too afraid to ask? Think you have all the answers? Then this workshop is for you. Whether you prefer “from bench to bedside”, “mind to market”, “knowledge to action”, or any other buzzy phrase, we can all agree that the need to translate and mobilize new ideas and scientific knowledge into useful applications is a growing pressure among researchers, funding agencies, and policy makers. Together we will break down ways to think about the influence of science on the policy-making process, and concepts for how policy can influence the scientific research enterprise.
You will gain an understanding of how science policy works by getting to know the policy toolkit (your nuts and bolts!) and by exploring the positions and competing interests of the stakeholders in a real-life case study. We will finish with a career panel consisting of professionals who ended up in science policy through very different avenues.
We welcome curious thinkers from all background, whether in sciences, engineering, public policy, business, communications, arts or something else entirely. If you have interest in science policy, this workshop is the place for you to share and expand your knowledge, build skills, and meet interesting people in the world of science policy.
SYMPOSIUM AGENDA
8:30 Introduction/Overview of day (Jeff Kinder)
8:45 Ice Breaker (All)
9:00 Introduction to Science Policy (Jeff Kinder)
9:30 Policy for Science (Marcius Extavour)
10:30 Health Break
10:45 Science for Policy (Jeff Kinder)
12:15 Lunch (networking)
1:00 Science Policy Exercise – Lake Eutrophication (Silke Nebel)
The problem: An excess of phosphorus in our waters leads to eutrophication, which means that in the summer months, part of the Great Lakes are covered in a mat of toxic green algae. Not only does this green mat suffocate fish and other organisms living in the lakes, it also makes swimming, sailing, or any other form of recreational activity impossible. Oh, and sometimes the drinking water supply of whole municipalities relying on the Great Lakes has to be shut down.
The federal governments of the US and Canada have therefore decided to reduce phosphate content in the Lake Erie (usually the lake with the worst water quality because it is so shallow) by 40%. Which is a very laudable step. They have not, however, indicated, how this goal is going to be achieved.
This is where you come in. Who do you think are the stakeholders here? And how can this issue be solved?
2:00 Career Panel (Moderator: Jeff Kinder)
3:00 Wrap-up / Evaluation form (Jeff Kinder)
