Roundtable on Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences
The Roundtable on Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences monitored and sought to understand the intersections between different life science research communities and public audiences for topics that may spark public concerns, generate policy debates, or influence market dynamics. The vision of the Roundtable was for life scientists to understand the dynamics of public interfaces, and have access to the knowledge and tools needed to develop proactive, collaborative, science-based approaches to public interfaces about current and emerging topics in the life sciences.
Completed
Description
The Division of Earth and Life Studies will establish a roundtable that aims to provide a venue for dialogue and discussions among leaders from federal agencies, the business community, media, non-profit, and academic sectors about effective strategies for life scientists’ engagement of the public. The roundtable will also facilitate on-going information exchange among these leaders about such issues as developments and implications of rapidly advancing areas of the life sciences that have the potential to raise public discussion and debate; models for effective informal education about life science issues; strategies to improve scientists understanding of and contribution to trusted sources of information for different segments of the adult public; and bridging perspectives and concerns across different groups. The major goals of the roundtable are: 1) To provide a mechanism for collaboration and communication among stakeholders with expertise and/or interest in effective public engagement in the life sciences; 2)To raise awareness among participating members about current strategies from and ongoing or upcoming activities of multiple disciplines that might be used to guide initiatives to improve life scientists public engagement; and 3) To advance discussion and encourage collaboration among stakeholders in the life sciences, communication and public engagement about effective approaches to public engagement in the life sciences at the community and the national level including challenges, leverage points, and potential roles for federal, state, local, private, and non-profit organizations and institutions in public engagement efforts. The roundtable may commission papers and use public workshops or webinars to inform its discussions. Roundtable meetings will be designed to help to illuminate new engagement approaches, emerging issues, needs, gaps, or priorities that the National Academies and other interested groups might wish to consider in the future. All activities of the roundtable will be conducted in accordance with institutional guidelines described in "Roundtables: Policy and Procedures".
Contributors
Committee
Co-Chair
May R. Berenbaum
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Ivan Amato
Member
Kristi S. Anseth
Member
Member
Member
Rodolfo Dirzo
Member
Member
John Durant
Member
David Fowler
Member
Member
Member
James E. Hildreth
Member
Member
Member
Kirk R. Johnson
Member
Alan I. Leshner
Member
Bruce V. Lewenstein
Member
Member
Member
George I. Matsumoto
Member
Jonathan D. Moreno
Member
Matthew Nisbet
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Margaret A. Riley
Member
Tami C. Schilling
Member
Judy Scotchmoor
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Staff Officer
Sponsors
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Internal Funding
National Science Foundation
Other, Federal
Private: For Profit
Private: Non Profit
Staff
Keegan Sawyer
Lead