You are browsing the archive for Sam, Author at The Bridge: Connecting Science and Policy.
July 11, 2013
Accomplishments and Future Needs of Science in the United States
The first full day of the 2013 AGU Science Policy Conference, on 25 June, began with a plenary session that provided a frame for discussions throughout the day. The plenary session, Preparing for Our Future: The Value of Science, not only elucidated the myriad of economic and societal contributions of science in the United States, but also issued a call for scientists to communicate their contributions and defend their role. …
July 3, 2013
AGU Science Policy Conference as a Call to Action for Research Community
For the American Geophysical Union, fitting a conference on “science policy” into a two-day span is no small feat. Compare that to the Fall Meeting in December where just the “science” alone stretches out across an entire week, with over 800 science-focused sessions already registered for the 2013 meeting (note: I am leaving out Education, Public Affairs and Union sessions in this count). Of course, the science is historically …
June 27, 2013
Making Scientists into Scientific Spokespeople
How would you bring up scientific funding if you bumped into your senator while he’s buying cheese and cured meats at the local market? How about getting a stranger interested in safer alternatives to lead-based welding solder? Communicating science to lawmakers and laypersons is important, but scientists too often get tongue-tied talking with everyday folks. Scientists from around the world heard from policy and communications gurus Monday at the …
June 24, 2013
Placing a Value on Science
The first plenary session of the 2013 AGU Science Policy Conference, Preparing for Our Future: The Value of Science, will be a discussion about the importance of science at a pressing time. Many interesting and significant science issues are presently in the news. President Obama’s proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 includes a reorganization of the nation’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Once the world’s leader in …
June 21, 2013
Why Is It Important for Science and Policy to Be Connected?
From climate change to energy and water needs and the impacts from natural hazards, the challenges we face are growing more and more complex and the need for sustainable solutions more and more urgent. History tells us that scientific research and development can play an important role in solving these challenges, and in serving as a catalyst for economic growth, helping us to protect lives and property and raise environmental …
Science Policy Conference: ARCUS Arctic Forum Highlights Interagency Collaboration
The Arctic Forum track organized by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) for the AGU Science Policy Conference will focus on interagency collaboration for arctic change research in the United States. Comprised of three sessions, all moderated by Dr. Brendan P. Kelly (Assistant Director for Polar Science, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President), the Forum will include remarks by science program directors from …
June 20, 2013
Participate in the Science Policy Conference from Wherever You Are
Can’t make it to the 2013 AGU Science Policy Conference, but dying to see the plenary sessions featuring Bart Gordon, Cora Marrett, James Balog, and Richard Harris? AGU is excited to present both plenary sessions as live webcast during the conference. A link will be made available on the webcast website as the sessions are about to begin. Watch the first …
June 19, 2013
Unwind and Network after a Full Day at the Science Policy Conference
Following a full day of events on Tuesday, 25 June 2013 at the Science Policy Conference, there will be a reception on Capitol Hill, in B339-B340 Rayburn House Office Building, with opportunities for networking and refreshments. Recap the topics of the day with other conference participants. The reception will be open to conference attendees and their guests, congressional staff, and the public. During the reception, AGU will be awarding the …
June 18, 2013
Why I’m Attending the AGU Science Policy Conference
The first question I am often asked when policymakers find out I am a geoscientist is “What do you think of fracking?” As a geodynamicist whose research focuses on subduction zones, this topic is clearly outside my specialized field of knowledge. Nevertheless, as a member of the geologic community my credentials lend extra weight to my opinion, and it is important that I have a well-informed answer and am able …
June 14, 2013
Swimming in Unfavorable Conditions
With over 70% of the world covered by water, understanding the interaction between humans and the ocean is vital to the health of both. The world’s ocean helps to feed communities, regulate climate, support tourism and economies, and generate oxygen that humans breathe, and provides innumerable benefits to the livelihood and health of the humans who interact with it. Changing climate and swelling populations create conditions that increase stress …