« Site News »

Boulder Science Cafe, May 13th 5:30 RedFish
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Climate Change | Energy Policy | Site News May 06, 2008

Breakthrough Blog
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News September 14, 2007

From a Reader: Blog Intolerance
   in Author: Others | Site News June 07, 2007

End of the Line . . .
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 16, 2007

I'm Outta Here . . .
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 03, 2007

Interview at ClimateandInsurance.Org
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News March 30, 2007

. . . Meantime, Buy This Book!
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News March 01, 2007

Spring Break . . .
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News March 01, 2007

Comment Policy Issues, Again
   in Site News May 24, 2006

If You Want to Comment . . .
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 23, 2006

Comment Policy Issues
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 20, 2006

Prometheus at 2
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 04, 2006

Summer Break
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News June 16, 2005

John Gibbons at CU-Boulder
   in Site News April 28, 2005

In Seattle? Two Talks
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News April 06, 2005

Webcast of John Marburger Interview
   in Site News April 05, 2005

Rhetoric and the Politicization of Science
   in Site News February 07, 2005

Rhetoric of Science and Technology
   in Site News January 18, 2005

Balancing Water Law and Science
   in Site News January 18, 2005

Advancing Knowledge and the Knowledge Economy
   in Site News December 13, 2004

Science & Technology in Society:
   in Site News December 02, 2004

Ian Axford Fellowships in Public Policy
   in Site News November 24, 2004

Call for Papers
   in Site News November 03, 2004

Center Newsletter Online
   in Site News September 14, 2004

Server Outage
   in Site News June 09, 2004

Prometheus in the Washington Times
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Site News May 20, 2004

2004 SACNAS National Conference
   in Author: Pielke Jr., R. | Science Policy: General | Site News May 14, 2004

Western Water Assessment
   in Site News May 13, 2004

Why Prometheus?
   in Author: Ryen, T.S. | Site News April 23, 2004

Opening May 1st
   in Author: Ryen, T.S. | Site News April 09, 2004

Boulder Science Cafe, May 13th 5:30 RedFish

May 13, 2008. Roger Pielke Jr. CIRES, CU Boulder. "Have we underestimated the Carbon Dioxide Challenge?" Details. RedFish, 5:30PM, 2027 13th Street.

Breakthrough Blog

I'll be blogging on climate policy over at the Breakthrough blog, check it out, my first post is up!

From a Reader: Blog Intolerance

[A long-time reader who wishes to remain anonymous asked us to post the following excerpt from a Joe Klein column in Time magazine. -Ed.]

This is not the first time this kind of free-range lunacy has been visited upon me. Indeed, it happens, oh, once a week to each of us who post on Swampland (Karen Tumulty, Jay Carney and Ana Marie Cox are the others). A reasonable reader might ask, Why are the left-wing bloggers attacking you? Aren't you pretty tough on the Bush Administration? Didn't you write a few months ago that George W. Bush would be remembered as one of the worst Presidents in history? And why on earth does any of this matter?

First, let me say that I really enjoy blogging. It's a brilliant format for keeping readers up to date on the things I care about—and for exchanging information with them. . .

But the smart stuff is being drowned out by a fierce, bullying, often witless tone of intolerance that has overtaken the left-wing sector of the blogosphere. Anyone who doesn't move in lockstep with the most extreme voices is savaged and ridiculed—especially people like me who often agree with the liberal position but sometimes disagree and are therefore considered traitorously unreliable. Some of this is understandable: the left-liberals in the blogosphere are merely aping the odious, disdainful—and politically successful—tone that right-wing radio talk-show hosts like Rush Limbaugh pioneered. They are also justifiably furious at a Bush White House that has specialized in big lies and smear tactics.

And that is precisely the danger here. Fury begets fury. Poison from the right-wing talk shows seeped into the Republican Party's bloodstream and sent that party off the deep end. Limbaugh's show—where Dick Cheney frequently expatiates—has become the voice of the Republican establishment. The same could happen to the Democrats. The spitballs aimed at me don't matter much. The spitballs aimed at Harman, Clinton and Obama are another story. Despite their votes, each of those politicians believes the war must be funded. (Obama even said so in his statement explaining his vote.) Each knows, as Senator Jim Webb has said repeatedly, that we must be more careful getting out of Iraq than we were getting in. But they allowed themselves to be bullied into a more simplistic, more extreme position. Why? Partly because they fear the power of the bloggers to set the debate and raise money against them. They may be right—in the short (primary election) term; Harman faced a challenge from the left in 2006. In the long term, however, kowtowing to extremists is exactly the opposite of what this country is looking for after the lethal radicalism of the Bush Administration.

End of the Line . . .

After three years of blogging, I have decided to take an extended break that just-so-happens to coincide with my sabbatical leave. Oh, I'll be promoting my book here and there, but I won't be posting regularly. It has been a fun experience, even with the obvious downsides, but it is time to close this chapter.

Prometheus, I hope, will continue to provoke and irritate, as is our custom, so don't go far!

I'm Outta Here . . .

Only sort of . . . Nature has set up a new blog on climate science and policy and the opportunity to join a blog community of people with very diverse views has proven too good to pass up.

The new blog is call Climate Feedback. It has just gone live with a new post by yours truly on climate variability and trends, plus posts by Hans von Storch and Eduadro Zorita on how the scientific process worked in the case of the "hockey stick". Kevin Vranes will also be blogging there.

As the website gets up to full speed I plan on concentrating my climate-related posts at the Nature blog and more general science policy stuff here. We'll see how it goes.

Have a look!

Interview at ClimateandInsurance.Org

I am interviewed by the website ClimateandInsurance.org, check it out here.

. . . Meantime, Buy This Book!

Out any day now:

Spring Break . . .

I'll be taking a spring blogging break . . . back in April! But stay tuned, Kevin is in charge while I'm offline.

Comment Policy Issues, Again

We have recently asked people to register as a less subtle way of encourgaging people to post under their own identities.

In particular, the commenters who go by Eli Rabett and Dano continue to submit anonymous posts despite our intentions. Both are welcome to participate, but only under their real names. Anonymous posts from these two will continue to be deleted. This is how we have decided to operate our weblog, and we respectfully ask that you follow these guidelines or comment elsewhere. I do not expect to continue discussing our comment policy, and we will simply delete those comments that do not follow the spirit of our guidelines.

If for some legitimate reason anyone desires to post a comment anonymously, then you can email a comment to Kevin or I noting as much and we will be happy to share your comment on the blog.

Thanks all.

If You Want to Comment . . .

A reminder following several emails: If you want to comment you will need to register (click the link from the comment page).

The site remains unmoderated for registered users. We won't be moderating comments from those who are unregistered.

Comment Policy Issues

All- 99% of our commenters are respectful and thoughtful. We have had a recent increase in nasty comments, and today a somewhat threatening and disturbing comment, from an anonymous commenter named Eli Rabbett who even after several requests from Kevin and I has continued this pattern of behavior.

Unfortunately if these posts continue we will likely have to go to a registration-based comment policy, to ban certain URLs from commenting if they refuse to follow our rules, or publicly expose the identities of anonymous posters who engage in such behavior (and yes, we will). We do not want to go down this route, and would prefer an open site and to allow anonymous comnents.

We respectfully ask that all commenters here help to enforce the comment policy and that we all engage in respectful discussions, even on topics that we disagree about. That is the value of the site, and it would be a shame to see it suffer because of the efforts of very few.

For the immeediate future, Kevin and I will ruthlessly delete any comment deemed out of bounds as we see fit. For just about everyone, this doesn't matter. For those few others, keep it respectful and substantive, and you are welocme to participate.

Thanks!

Prometheus at 2

We've been online for two years. Who would have guessed that Shep's term project would wind up like this? Thanks once again to our commenters, by far the best on any blog on the web. Keep it up.

For my part, I'm going to celebrate by going offline for a few days. See you next week. ;-)

Summer Break

I am going offline for a few weeks. I'll be posting again July 5. Meantime, Genevieve, Bets, Kevin, Joel and maybe (if you are lucky) Lisa and Bobbie will be working hard to keep your minds provoked!

John Gibbons at CU-Boulder

For readers near Boulder, Dr. John Gibbons, science advisor to President Clinton, will give a talk tonight on campus. Dr. Gibbons is here as part of a series on Policy, Politics and Science in the White House. The talk starts at 7pm in Hale 270.

Dr. Gibbons is internationally renowned for his contributions to physics, energy, environment, and technology/public policy. He served as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1993 to 1998. As “Science Advisor” to the President, he was the most senior member of the White House staff on matters of science and technology policy. Prior to his White House service, Dr. Gibbons was Director of the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) for over thirteen years (1979 – 1992). OTA was a bipartisan, bicameral agency designed to serve Congressional Committees as their principal source of independent, expert and comprehensive analysis on issues involving the impacts of science and technology on society.

After leaving the White House in 1998, Dr. Gibbons served as the Karl T. Compton Lecturer at MIT (1998-1999) and Senior Fellow at the National Academy Engineering (1999-2000) where he assisted NAE’s president on a variety of topics including the new NAE program in Earth Systems Engineering. During 1999-2001 he was Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of State where he assisted the Secretary in revitalizing science and technology capabilities, including creating the position of Science Advisor to the Secretary. From 2000-2001 he was the elected President of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.

Gibbons currently serves on a number of boards and committees in both private and public sectors. In October 2003 he was named Chairman of the Board, Population Action International and member of the Gas Technology Institute Strategic Advisory Council. He is a former member of the Board of the World Resources Institute, and a member of the National Advisory Council of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He is a member of The National Academies International Advisory Board, and is a Division Advisor to the Academies’ Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS).

Before he was called to OTA in 1979, Gibbons was Director of the Energy, Environment and Resources Center, and Professor of Physics, at the University of Tennessee where he directed programs emphasizing energy management and efficiency and use and the environmental impacts of energy production and use. Prior to that he was the first Director of the Federal Office of Energy Conservation where he initiated and directed work on energy efficiency and public awareness programs about the value and need for energy conservation. He was a founder of ORTEC, now part of E.G.G. Corporation. Dr. Gibbons began his professional career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he was a group leader in nuclear geophysics/astrophysics. He did experiments for 15 years (mostly at Oak Ridge) in nuclear structure with emphasis on neutron capture reactions key to understanding nucleosynthesis of heavy elements inside stars. While at Oak Ridge he also worked on energy efficiency technologies, ballistic missile defense, and various environmental issues. From 1969 – 1973 he directed ORNL’s environmental program.

In Seattle? Two Talks

I’ll be giving two talks in Seattle later this week, organized by the Forum on Science, Ethics and Policy (for info see the FOSEP website) at the University of Washington. Here are the abstracts:

Politicization of Science: A Perspective
Thursday, April 7, 2005
5:30 - 6:30 pm
UW Physics and Astronomy Auditorium, A102

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
Friday, April 8, 2005
10:30 - 11:30 am
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Pelton Auditorium

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.

Webcast of John Marburger Interview

A webcast is now available online of John Marburger's talk and interview as part of our Science Advisors Series.

John Gibbons, one of President Clinton's science advisors, is up next later this month.

Rhetoric and the Politicization of Science

2005 American Association for the Rhetoric of Science and Technology (AARST)
Workshop: Rhetoric and the Politicization of Science
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 – Boston, MA

The controversy over the “politicization” of science advice and policy under the Bush administration provides an opportunity for rhetoricians of science to engage with a broader public discourse about the role of science in society. The American Association for the Rhetoric of Science and Technology is soliciting proposals for its 2005 pre-conference, held on Nov. 16 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Boston, MA. Desired proposals include but are not limited to the following types:

(1) Readings, analyses, and interpretations of key texts, lines of argument, and debates in the politicization of science controversy.

(2) Examinations of the contexts in which the controversy is located, including historical, political, social, and related aspects that bear upon the development and reception of particular elements of the discourse.

(3) Pragmatic, critical, or discipline-oriented policy recommendations emerging from a rhetoric of science or related perspective for attaining goals related to effective, transparent, and accountable science advice and policy.

More broadly, this pre-conference invites scholars, scientists, and others to participate in the critical analysis of documents, debates, and discourses related to the politicization of science under the Bush administration, with particular attention to issues of public participation and democratic deliberation in science advice, policy and direction. Analyses may be undertaken from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including cultural studies, discourse studies, rhetoric, and related fields, and the location of current controversies in their ongoing contexts is of particular interest.

The deadline for proposals, which may include work in progress or extended abstracts as well as completed papers, is May 31, 2005. Submit proposals in Word or WordPerfect format via e-mail attachment to wjw11@psu.edu.

Contact: William J. White, Asst. Prof., Comm. Arts & Sciences, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Dr., Altoona PA 16601. Phone: (814) 949-5689. E-mail: wjw11@psu.edu.

Rhetoric of Science and Technology

CALL FOR PAPERS AND PANEL PROPOSALS
National Communication Association Conference
November 17-20, 2005 in Boston, MA USA

The American Association for the Rhetoric of Science and Technology invites submission of program proposals and papers. Submissions may cover any area of rhetoric of science and technology, including the rhetorical analysis of science policy debates, the analysis of scientific texts, the transfer of scientific rhetoric into literary or other contexts, and the rhetorical impact of popular representations of science. We encourage submissions concerning traditional fields (such as physics and biology) and also emerging topics in areas such as environmental science, computer science, information technology, genetics, neuroscience and medicine. In particular, we are especially interested in papers and panels that explore the nexus between science, politics, and public policy.

Copies of Papers/Proposals: Only online submissions in Microsoft Word, PDF, or RTF format will be accepted.

Deadline: Online submission through the All Academic website by February 16, 2005

Access: http://convention2.allacademic.com/nca_index.php

Specify student papers: yes

Specify debut papers: yes

Submitted papers should include:
1) A Title
2) A 250-500 word abstract of the paper
3) A maximum of 25 pages of text
4) No information identifying the author may appear in the paper.
Submitters will be required to upload a copy of their paper into All Academic. To ensure blind review, submitters should remove their name from their paper before uploading the document.
5) Papers must be submitted online in one of the following file formats in order to be accepted: Microsoft Word, PDF, RTF. Compressed or Zip files will not be accepted.

Submitted panels should include:
1) A Title
2) An abstract of no more than 75 words for the convention program (if there are no presentation titles).
3) A list of presenters and their affiliations
4) Titles for each presentation
5) A short abstract (250-400 words) for each presenter

CONTACT: Gordon R. Mitchell, Department of Communication, University of Pittsburgh, 1117 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, Phone:412-624-8531; Email: gordonm@pitt.edu; Timothy M. O'Donnell, Department of English, Linguistics, and Speech, 316 Combs Hall, 1301 College Ave., Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Phone: 540-371-1915; Email: todonnel@mwc.edu

Balancing Water Law and Science

Balancing Water Law and Science
– National Water Research Symposium –
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Virginia Water Resources Research Center
October 10-12, 2005
Virginia Tech Inn and Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, Virginia

Call for Papers

In 1899, the U.S. Congress passed the first statutory environmental law, The Refuse Act. Since then, several federal laws and regulations have been promulgated in the U.S. to manage the nation’s water quantity and water quality, to secure water supplies for an increasing population and enhance economic productivity, and to protect and preserve the nation’s diverse ecosystems. At the same time, significant advances in water science have improved our understanding of water resource issues. However, across the U.S., questions have been raised about the scientific validity of certain regulations and the socio-economic costs attributed to the implementation of some water resource regulations.

The purpose of this symposium is to openly discuss the scientific basis of water laws and regulations, reflect on the conflicts within existing laws and regulations, discuss case studies of interest, and propose conflict resolution strategies. Topical areas of interest include but are not limited to research that addresses the following questions:

1. Do watershed-based management approaches make scientific sense?
2. Is privatization of public water supplies the best way to reduce water costs?
3. What are the scientific bases for state water rights?
4. How do we regulate concentrated animal feeding operations?
5. Do we know how to protect instream uses, including meeting the needs of fish and other aquatic organisms?
6. Is wetland construction a realistic mitigation measure for water resource development?
7. Will climate changes force a change in water law?
8. What water conservation goals are realistic?
9. What is the feasibility of alternative water sources such as desalination and wastewater reclamation? Can these alternative sources replace the need for dam construction?
10. Has the time arrived to integrate land use planning with water management?

The Virginia Water Resources Research Center invites you to submit research abstracts and workshop proposals for the National Water Research Symposium to be held on the Virginia Tech campus on October 10-12, 2005. Basic and applied research papers are solicited in all areas related to water law and science. Researchers from colleges and universities (faculty, graduate and undergraduate students), federal and state agencies, private organizations, law firms, consulting firms, and others are invited to present papers and lead workshops.

Deadlines:
1. Submission of Abstracts and Workshop Proposals March 31, 2005
2. Notification of Acceptance/Rejection May 1, 2005
3. Papers for inclusion in the symposium proceedings August 15, 2005
Abstract Submission
Please submit a 200-250 word abstract that includes the paper title, author(s) and author(s) affiliation, phone number, fax number, and email address of the corresponding author. Indicate if the presenter is a graduate or undergraduate student.

Workshop Proposal Submission:
Submit a 1-2 page workshop outline that includes information on the subject matter and name(s), affiliation(s), email address, and phone number of workshop instructors.

Electronic Submission: E-mail: tyounos@vt.edu

Hard Copy Submission:
National Water Research Symposium 2005
Virginia Water Resources Research Center
23 Agnew Hall (0444)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Author Guidelines for Full Paper Submission:
Full papers will be accepted for publication in the symposium proceedings. Guidelines are posted on symposium website: www.vwrrc.vt.edu/2005symposium

Symposium Participation Policy:
Individuals and organizations presenting papers agree to register and pay the assigned registration fee for the symposium.

For more information or questions, contact Judy Poff by phone (540) 231-8030 or e-mail jupoff@vt.edu. If unavailable, contact Annabelle Fusilier (540) 231-5624.

Advancing Knowledge and the Knowledge Economy

January 10-11, 2005

Advancing Knowledge and the Knowledge Economy is an international conference that brings together leading experts to examine how processes for creating and organizing knowledge interact with information technology, business strategy, and changing social and economic conditions. The conference is designed to broaden and deepen common understanding of how difficult-to-measure knowledge resources drive an increasingly virtualized economy and to assess prospects for advancing and regenerating knowledge infrastructure, institutions, and policies.

Presenters will evaluate how distributed models of innovation and learning are empowering users and challenging education, research, and commerce. They will examine the emergence of software, the Internet, and cyberinfrastructure as enablers of knowledge processes, and as scaffolding for producing and using new tools and representations of knowledge. Finally, they will consider how the management and regulation of knowledge differs from the treatment of tangible inputs in terms of the principles, tradeoffs, and policy models.

At the

National Academies
21st and Constitution Ave.
Washington, DC

10-11 January 2005

Registration and other information can be found at:

http://advancingknowledge.com

Science & Technology in Society:

CALL FOR PAPERS

Sponsored by:
The National Science Foundation, George Mason University, The George Washington University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

When: April 23rd – 24th, 2005
Where: American Association for the Advancement of Science Headquarters, Washington, DC
Abstract Deadline: January 31st, 2005

This annual conference provides a forum for ideas on theory and application of science and technology (S&T) as components of global society. Graduate students from a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs are invited to present their research on S& T in contexts ranging from local to global, public to private, micro- to macro-scale, speculative to legal, and history to future. In addition to presenting papers, students will have the opportunity to interact with each other and prominent scholars and professionals related to their field(s) of interest. This conference will also feature several prominent keynote speakers addressing current issues in Science & Technology in Society. Lee Silver will be speaking about biotechnology and society and Arturo Escobar will be speaking on current issues concerning international sustainable development.

The conference organizing committee welcomes submissions of abstracts (up to 250
words) for a 10-15 minute presentation. Abstracts need to be submitted via email to stglobal@vt.edu by January 31st, 2005. Acceptance of abstracts will be given by March 1st, 2005. Final papers will potentially be included on the conference website. We seek submissions from graduate students studying topics related, but not limited to the role of S&T in the following thematic areas:

Globalization, International Regulation Environment, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development The Knowledge-Based Economy Civil, Ethical and Legal Issues National Security and Defense Applications Government, Private and Academic Investment S&T in Non-Western Cultures Historical and Social Dimensions of S&T Revolutionary or Non-Traditional Directions in S&T Network and Industrial Organization Biotechnology Policy Implications of S&T Information Technology Foresight/Forecast in S&T Technology and Human Development Nanotechnology

Information concerning area lodging and registration will be made available on the conference website by January 31, 2005. Travel funds are available for a limited number of presenters. Students in need of travel funds should indicate so when submitting their abstract. For further information, please visit the conference website at: http://www.gwu.edu/~cistp/.

Ian Axford Fellowships in Public Policy

For Study and Travel in New Zealand

The Commonwealth Fund of New York invites applicants for the 2006 Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy.  The deadline for the receipt of applications is March 1, 2005.

The fellowships give outstanding American professionals the opportunity to study, travel, and gain practical experience in public policy in New Zealand, including first-hand knowledge of economic, social and political reforms, and management of the government sector. Two to three Fellowships will be awarded for six months, starting in January/February 2006.

The purpose of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowship program is:

•        to reinforce New Zealand/United States links by enabling Americans of high intellectual ability and leadership potential to come to New Zealand to gain experience and build contacts in the field of public policy development;
•        to help improve the practice of public policy development in the United States and New Zealand by the cross-fertilization of ideas and experience in the two countries; and
•        to build a network of public policy experts on both sides of the Pacific.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have at least five years experience in their profession.  There are no formal age limits, but the focus of the fellowship is on mid-career development, and successful applicants are likely to be in their early thirties to early fifties. Candidates’ proposals for study while in New Zealand must address one of the following fields of public policy: education and training, youth and families, workplace and employment, indigenous peoples, health care, environmental management/climate change, information technology, innovation in science and technology, public sector reform/program evaluation in the government sector, economic/business development, human capital development, transportation and communications, coordination of energy/national resources.

Each fellowship includes roundtrip airfare to New Zealand for the fellow, a dependent partner and/or children to age 18 years, and a monthly living and travel allowance.  Candidates are encouraged, where possible, to be on full or partial paid leave from their places of employment.

For information for candidates and application, see The Commonwealth Fund’s website at www.cmwf.org/fellowships. For further questions, contact: Phuong Trang Huynh, The Commonwealth Fund, One East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021-2692 (telephone: 212.606.3851, email: pth@cmwf.org).

Call for Papers

Science & Technology in Society:
An Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference

Sponsored by:
The National Science Foundation George Mason University
The George Washington University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute

When: April 23rd – 24th, 2005
Where: American Association for the Advancement of Science Headquarters, Washington, DC
Abstract Deadline: January 31st, 2005

This annual conference provides a forum for ideas on theory and application of science and technology (S&T) as components of global society. Graduate students from a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs are invited to present their research on S&T in contexts ranging from local to global, public to private, micro- to macro-scale, speculative to legal, and history to future. In addition to presenting papers, students will have the opportunity to interact with each other and prominent scholars and professionals related to their field(s) of interest. Previous speakers have included Daniel Kleinman, Sandra Harding, and Al Tiech, just to name a few. We expect to draw scholars of similar caliber for the upcoming conference.

The conference organizing committee welcomes submissions of abstracts (up to 250 words) for a 10-15 minute presentation. Abstracts need to be submitted via email to stglobal@vt.edu by January 31st, 2005. Acceptance of abstracts will be given by March 1st, 2005. Final papers will potentially be included on the conference website. We seek submissions from graduate students studying topics related, but not limited to the role of S&T in the following thematic areas:

Globalization, International Regulation
Environment, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
The Knowledge-Based Economy
Civil, Ethical and Legal Issues
National Security and Defense Applications
Government, Private and Academic Investment
S&T in Non-Western Cultures
Historical and Social Dimensions of S&T
Revolutionary or Non-Traditional Directions in S&T
Network and Industrial Organization
Biotechnology
Policy Implications of S&T
Information Technology
Foresight/Forecast in S&T
Technology and Human Development
Nanotechnology

Information concerning area lodging and registration will be made available on the conference website by January 31, 2005. Travel funds are available for a limited number of presenters. Students in need of travel funds should indicate so when submitting their abstract. For further information, please visit the conference website at: http://www.gwu.edu/~cistp/stglobal.

Center Newsletter Online

The September 2004 edition of Ogmius, the newsletter of the CIRES Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, is now available online.
This edition of Ogmius features an article entitled "Addressing the Under-representation of Women in the Sciences" by CU professor Patricia Rankin, a research highlight analyzing the distinction between regulatory science and academic science, the Center's fall noontime seminar series schedule, recent Center publications, and other news of interest to the science and technology policy community.

Click here to subscribe to Ogmius.

Server Outage

The server hosting Prometheus gave up the ghost on Monday. Thanks for your patience while our crack tech team gets us back on track. We're still missing a few posts from June 3rd on, but hope to have them restored shortly.

Update: We seem to back in business. All the entries have been restored, and their permalinks should be the same. Let us know if you find any problems.

Prometheus in the Washington Times

Hang a shingle on the internet one month, appear in the Washington Times the next. My tongue-in-cheek posting from earlier this week titled “Generic News Story on Climate Change” was reprinted in full in Tuesday’s (May 18, 2004) Washington Times in John McCaslin’s “Inside the Beltway” column. McCaslin did get one thing wrong when he wrote that I had sent the posting to “environmentally minded editors.” But even so we do appreciate the publicity.

2004 SACNAS National Conference

The mission of SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) is to encourage Chicano/Latino and Native American students to pursue graduate education and obtain the advanced degrees necessary for research careers and science teaching professions at all levels.

2004 SACNAS National Conference
Science and Science Policy: Constructing an Inclusive Paradigm
Austin, TX
October 21-24, 2004

SACNAS provides unparalleled conference activities for students, educators, administrators and researchers in science. This year’s conference theme, Science and Science Policy: Constructing and Inclusive Paradigm, explores the link between current science policy issues and those communities most affected by them. It is vital that the Chicano/Latino and Native American scientific communities have a substantive voice in the creation of science policy which dictates the funding and direction of scientific research and inquiry. Continuing a third year tradition of working to increase Native American and Chicano/Latino presence in the scientific community, SACNAS offers a forum for investigation of questions related to the theme and the development of a new generation of leaders who will be instrumental in shaping equitable and inclusive science policy.

Western Water Assessment

Our Western Water Assessment project has a new homepage and improved content. Check it out.

Why Prometheus?

In creating this site I sought a name that would convey its basic purpose: addressing and commenting on the complex nature of science and technology decision-making. The name should, of course, also be catchy and maybe even fun. Hence, Prometheus became a weblog in addition to Greek god.

In Greek mythology Prometheus, which may be translated to "forethought", is closely linked with the cultural and technological development of mankind. The Library of Apollodoros states that Prometheus created man from water and earth (1.7.1). Furthermore, at the feast at Mekone, Prometheus tricks Zeus into taking the lesser share of sacrifice, leaving the best portion to man. As punishment for this subterfuge Zeus withholds fire from mankind, only to have Prometheus steal it and present it to mankind. I suggest that this widely known act represents a very early example of science and technology policy.

Prometheus, then, conjures the ideas of intellectual growth and progress that this site hopes to reflect. Yet, Hesiod's Theogony introduces Prometheus, the embodyment of science and technology, as "subtle and devious" (511)... for, like science and technology, Prometheus carries some negative consequences for mankind when, in retaliation for the theft of fire, Zeus unleashes evil on mankind through the creation of Pandora.

The Prometheus weblog, then, will tackle the benefits, risks, successes and failures of science and technology. Our pages will reflect the good and bad, and suggest science and technology policy for a modern day Prometheus.

The weblog will also steadfastly avoid eagles...

Opening May 1st

Thanks for dropping by the Science Policy Weblog. The site's under construction now, but we'll be up and running at full speed by the end of April. The site will feature contributions from a wide range of science policy experts and students. If you're interested in policy news, opinion and debate, you've come to the right place!

This site is being created by Tind Shepper Ryen, Mark Lohaus, and Roger Pielke, Jr. at the University of Colorado Center for Science and Technology Policy Research. Anyone wishing more information may contact Shep at tind.ryen@colorado.edu.