Tuesday, September 25, 8:30am-12:00pm
Keynote Conversation
The Honorable John Edward Porter, Research!America chair and former member of the U.S. Congress from Illinois, and Andrew Rosenberg, Center for Science and Democracy director, will discuss obstacles that prevent scientific information getting to policymakers, such as declining government resources for research, political interference in science and how that impacts the quality of information and how it is received, and the declining respect for science in Congress.
First Discussion Panel
Longtime journalist and news executive Ted Illiff, who has worked for CNN, USA Today, the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, will moderate a discussion on citizen access to scientific information with the following panelists:
- Katherine McFate, president and CEO of OMBWatch
- Dan Vergano, reporter for USA Today
- Curtis Brainard, staff writer for Columbia Journalism Review
- Lisa Swirsky, senior policy analyst, health, Consumers Union
Second Discussion Panel
UCS Senior Scientist and Science Policy Fellow Francesca Grifo will moderate a discussion on how agencies can improve access to scientific information with panelists:
- Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation
- Miriam Nisbet (invited), director of the Office of Government Information Services at the National Archives and Records Administration
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Closing Remarks
Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) will discuss what happens when Congress fails to get the information it needs and how the right information can guide civil discussion and help create bipartisan policies that address pressing problems.