Science, Technology, and Security: Knowledge for the Post-9/11 World logo Symposium October 10-11, 2002 logo
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Sponsored by the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research

Symposium Background

 The security of the United States assumed a much greater importance in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, and is captured with the phrase “homeland security.” Scientific and technological knowledge and understanding are essential to enhance homeland security. Effective science and technology-based security policies depend critically upon assessing what knowledge is available, what knowledge is needed, and how decision makers might put that knowledge to effective use. In October2002 more than 60 scientists, scholars, and security experts spent two days at the University of Colorado at a Symposium entitled “Science, Technology and Security: Knowledge for the Post-9/11 World.”  Participants sought to foster new connections and thinking among the wealth of local experts on how better to integrate scientific and technological research with decision making on issues ranging from computer security to bioterrorism. The overarching goal of the Symposium was to recommend practical and effective strategies for improving the two-way connections between science and technology and security policy

  • To consider challenges and opportunities for the practice of science and technology posed by the nation’s enhanced focus on security policy;
  • To consider challenges and opportunities for improving the connections of science and technology with the needs of decision makers;
  • To consider alternative strategies for meeting the challenges and taking advantage of opportunities in the two way connections of science and technology and security policy;
  • To consider the issues raised in the context of specific substantive areas: water, energy, information technology, critical infrastructure, bioterrorism;
  • To produce a proceedings that summarizes the discussions at the Symposium and presents recommendations in support of the overarching goal.

The symposium brought together experts from Colorado and beyond in the physical, natural, and social sciences and the humanities to identify what we know, how to better use (and limit the misuse of) what we know, and what we need to learn, and to discuss issues and obstacles associated with each.  The Symposium was sponsored by University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and its Health Sciences Center, the University of Colorado System, Rocky Mountain Institute for Biosecurity Research at Colorado State University, the Graduate School of International Studies at Denver University and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
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Sponsors: University of Colorado at Boulder; University of Colorado at Denver; University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Sloan Foundation; University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies; Colorado State University Rocky Mountain Institute for Biosecurity Research