Policy Catalyst

"Fracking boom spurs environmental audit" Swackhamer in Nature

2012-05-31T16:54:24Z

Deb Swackhamer attended a conference on Hydraulic Fracturing and Health at the Institutes of Medicine in D.C. with other key EPA advisers to identify hurdles in determining local health impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations.

Swackhamer was quoted in Nature discussing challenges: "The big threats to public health are in wastewater pits and storage and also during transportation when you are trucking around contaminated water," says Deborah Swackhamer, an environmental chemist at the University of Minnesota in St Paul. "You can have spills or leaks or flooding."

Read the full article here.

Women in Science and Technology Policy Project (WiSP)

2012-05-29T20:48:41Z

A team of professors from the Humphrey School (Kaye Husbands Fealing, Jennifer Kuzma, Debra Fitzpatrick ) and two other Universities are teaming up to look into the women that hold science and technology positions at the federal level. This post has a snapshot of their project and more information can be found here.

"The purpose of this study is to examine the presence and influence of women in science and technology policy at the federal level. While many studies examine the presence and influence of women in the conduct of natural science and engineering, none, to our knowledge, considers those in positions that influence science and technology (S&T) policy. Our goal is to look beyond numerical representation of women in these roles to better understand (1) the positions individual women and cohorts of women hold within the S&T policy field; (2) how structures, culture and the 'gender ethos' of government science and technology organizations affects the 'spirit, aspirations, perceptions of, and opportunities for individual women' (Kenney, 1996); and finally (3) how the presence of women has an impact on the organizations and field within which they work. The main proposition is that who makes decisions about science and technology policy matters, particularly since it can be argued that 'scientific knowledge is negotiated...and its content depends on how negotiating authority is distributed.' (Cozzens and Woodhouse, 1995) Thus, this study investigates whether gender distribution among S&T policymakers affects federal decisions about scientific research and development, such as those concerning oversight of the results of science and technology or investments in S&T funding initiatives. The study also examines organizational structures, attempting to discern relationships between female participation rates and influence in particular S&T agencies and the organizational structures and processes involved in policymaking at those agencies. As part of the study, we will quantify the changing distribution of male-female participation in leadership roles at S&T policy-making institutions using a descriptive personnel database. We will use focus groups and interviews to gather qualitative evidence bearing on correlative and potentially causal relationships between organizational context, gender proportionality, and their influences on S&T policy production."

Join us for Technology and the Design of Personalized Learning: A Genius for Education

2012-05-23T15:46:08Z

The third event is coming up. In the series we have already discussed science and technology standards, and the design of schools. Now we are focusing on how technology can enhance the learning experience. Not only is technology becoming ever more present in our lives, with technological skills increasing in value, but technology also offers an opportunity to further personalize learning. Technology tools can help a student catch-up or challenge the gifted, it can also enable a teacher to give one on one attention, tailor lessons to student learning styles etc.

So at this event on June 20th we will hear about some successful teachers and administrators that have implemented technology to innovate their teaching. Want to join us? Click here for more details on the event or just click here and register now.

Emerging Risks of Synthetic Biology

2012-05-22T14:48:44Z

Synthetic biology is a combination of engineering principles, computer technology (IT) and biological elements to create or re-engineer a product that has biological components and systems that do not exist in nature. Professor Kuzma discussed regulation and risk governance of synthetic biology in Washington D.C. at the George Washington University Environmental Law Program. The event looked at the emerging field of synthetic biology research and commercialization and the implications for energy, health, and environmental policy.

Watch her talk at the conference here.

Congratulations STEP Students

2012-05-14T15:14:50Z

We have graduates. They have unique science, policy skill-sets that would be great for your organization. The STEPs are in gold.

First Year MS-STEP Student Published in the Star Tribune

2012-05-03T14:54:47Z

Virgina Dale, first year MS-STEP, was published in the Star Tribune last week. It is a great read about healthcare mandates and an excellent use of policy analysis skills.

Title and opening teaser (follow this link for the full article):

"Making a mandate more palatable: Offer options. If a healthful lifestyle is as effective as high-tech medicine -- which it may be -- shouldn't that be on the health-plan menu?

Last month, as the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments over the so-called individual mandate in President Obama's federal health care reform law, the justices looked for a logical basis to determine whether and when Congress has a proper constitutional power to make people buy things.

Using a much-discussed metaphor, Justice Antonin Scalia sounded relieved when he felt that he could distinguish the law's mandate to buy health insurance from a hypothetical mandate to buy, say, broccoli.

But in fact that's just the problem with the individual mandate. It does not require the purchase of broccoli -- which might actually improve people's health. But it does require the purchase of many highly technical medical interventions that do nothing useful."

Linda Birnbaum: NIEHS and Emerging Environmental Health Concerns

2012-04-25T21:15:48Z

Ever wonder how we are going to address (through policy and research) the chemical soap that we interact with every day? The answer has changed over time, as we have developed a more complex understanding of chemical interaction and the effects of low-dose exposures (some chemicals have worse effects at lower doses). To talk on these issues we have invited Linda Birnbaum to give a public address at the Humphrey School. Here are the details:

Thursday, May 3, 2012, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, reception to follow
Humphrey School, Cowles Auditorium
There is no cost to attend but registration is required

Linda Birnbaum
Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Toxicology Program Division

Dr. Birnbaum will discuss efforts to reduce the burden of human illness and disability through NIEHS investigations into how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease. As an expert researcher on the health effects of environmental pollutants and the cause and effects relationships of pollutant concentrations, she will address contaminants of emerging concerns and low-dose responses. She will also discuss the holistic approach she has taken as director of NIEHS to address large challenges, such as complex mixtures of toxic chemicals.

]]> Dr. Birnbaum, as NIEHS and NTP director, oversees a budget of $780 million that funds multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention, and intervention efforts that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. Dr. Birnbaum has also received numerous awards, including the Women in Toxicology Elsevier Mentoring Award, the Society of Toxicology Public Communications Award, EPA's Health Science Achievement Award and Diversity Leadership Award, and 12 Science and Technology Achievement Awards. She is the author of more than 700 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, abstracts, and reports. Dr. Birnbaum received her M.S. and Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana and as a board certified toxicologist, Dr. Birnbaum has served as a federal scientist for 30 years.

This event is hosted by the Center for Science, Technology & Public Policy, in partnership with the School of Public Health, Environmental Science Division, Consortium on Law and Values, Environmental Initiative, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Swackhamer Makes the Business Case for Smart Water Usage

2012-04-03T15:18:39Z

"Swackhamer, a scientist and public policy expert, noted that some of the fastest-growing industries in Minnesota are thanks to clean air-and-water regulations that also have led to a healthier, more-productive population and workforce. 'Business has figured out there's a market for something that most people take for granted.'" Read the full Star Tribune article here.

Wilson Speaks on: Wind, Transmission and Integration: Policy and Politics of Renewable Energy

2012-03-30T20:10:50Z

Professor Elizabeth Wilson presented at the Institute on the Environment's Frontiers series. She discussed how developing renewable energy resources in the United States also requires developing electricity transmission infrastructure. Each state and regional jurisdiction, however, has taken a different approach to connecting new wind turbines to the transmission grid and dispatching electricity from wind. In her talk she explored the policies and politics underlying transmission siting and wind integration. Listen to the entire presentation here.

Swackhamer Featured on MPR Discussing Chemical Risk Management

2012-03-28T20:19:51Z

"Scientists know that many of them are a problem, but determining when they become a public health threat is the next step, said Deb Swackhamer, an environmental chemist at the University of Minnesota.

'We don't have the actual detailed toxicological data that says this compound at this dose causes this problem so we're going to regulate it at that dose,' said Swackhamer, chairman of the Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board. 'That kind of data takes an enormous amount of effort; it takes millions of dollars to collect.'"

Listen to the full story here.

The BBC asks "When will indestructible plastics finally degrade?"

2012-03-06T15:04:55Z

And Minnesota's Center for Sustainable Polymers Director, Marc Hillmyer answers. Speaking to Dr. Hannah Critchlow of the "Naked Scientist" podcast, Hillmyer explained how traditional plastics can take over 100 years to degrade depending on their chemical compositions. This is because many durable plastics are resistant to sunlight and are hydrophobic (hate the water).

Listen to his full explanation here.

Swackhmer Comments in Star Tribune on Zebra Mussels

2012-03-05T16:01:33Z

Swackhamer,... "said that invasives are 'easily one of the top five natural resource issues in the state,' and they can have a huge impact on ecology and recreation.

Even so, she said, 'I think the priority [for Clean Water Council recommendations] is to make sure that we're dealing first and foremost with the impaired waters and compliance with the Clean Water Act.' Swackhamer is also a member of the Minnesota Clean Water Council, but was speaking on her own behalf."

Read the full article here.

Governance of Targeted GMOs

2012-03-01T16:25:21Z

GMOs are not a new thing. When the Green Revolution began in the 1940 through 1970s, led by the University of Minnesota's Norman Borlaug, we began to think about how we could make plants that would give increased yield and not be devastated by bugs or fungi. Many companies expanded such efforts with GMO technology and now there are many GMOs growing in fields around the world and have been for the past 15 years. But like with any technology, we refine our processes, try to improve it, change it, adapt it. Such efforts can lead to great new things but they can also led to mistakes and failures.

Failure can be fine, but folks appear not to be keen on the idea of GMOs that do unexpected things. So the Europeans and the U.S. have made laws and regulations. However, now we have the emergence of targeted genetic modification (TagMo). TagMo is poised to revolutionize plant genetic engineering by its potential to: increase the speed and ease of genetic modification, facilitate the introduction of novel traits in previously unmodified plant species, and fall outside existing regulatory authority. Basically we have new stuff and we are not completely sure if it is regulated and how exactly. So folks at CSTPP are researching just that question. If you want to hear more join us on Tuesday at 12:00 in the Humphrey School's Stassen Room for a discussion. Otherwise, stay tuned for papers that draw upon insights from the fields of anticipatory governance and examines the conflicting meanings that emerge when experts describe TagMo, its potential futures, and the preferred governance response.

New Connections in Science and Engineering Education

2012-02-24T21:45:23Z

April 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 8:30 a.m. check-in, at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The cost for this event is $25 per person. Click here to register.

Join us to engage in meaningful interactive dialogue that will explore how we are preparing our students in science and engineering for the grand challenges of today and the future. A recently released report from the National Research Council presents a new framework for K-12 science education that identifies the key scientific and engineering practices all students should learn. Minnesota is a lead state in developing the new standards which will be released for public comment.

Featuring:
• Keynote: Heidi Schweingruber, Ph.D., Deputy
Director of the Board on Science Education at the
National Research Council
• Pecha Kucha: Short presentations on how science
and engineering is being successfully integrated.
• Interactive Design Challenge: How might we
prepare our students to solve today's grand
challenges? You decide.

Don't wait until the event to get the conversation going. Join the virtual gathering on InCommons. Create a profile or log in through Facebook.

Student Led Broader Impacts Group -- Spring Events

2012-02-23T16:11:45Z

"If you are a scientist, scientist-in-training, policy aficionado, or just a fan of thinking outside the scientific bubble, then this group is for you! All are welcome to attend and participate, and no background in science policy is required."

Two talk will feature CSTPP members.

Tuesday February 28th, 4:30-5:30pm, Moos 1-435
Placebos & Policy
Led by Paul Regier, student in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Tuesday April 10th, 4:30-5:30pm, Moos 1-435
How does research funding relate to ethics?: A conversation about the structure of science and technology policy in the U.S.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Kuzma, Associate Professor in the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy program at the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota

Tuesday April 24th, 4:30-5:30pm, Moos 1-435
Rewriting the National Science Education Standards
Led by Dr. Jan Dubinsky, Professor in the Neuroscience Department, winner of the Society for Neuroscience Science Educator Award, and creator of BrainU

Tuesday May 8th, 12:00-1:00pm, Jackson 2-137
Framing Issues in Science Policy: What role should scientists play?
Special lecture by Steve Kelley, former Minnesota state senator and Director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota
*Lunch will be provided at 11:45

Tuesday May 22nd, 4:30-5:30pm, Moos 1-435
Toxic Chemical Policy: Defining and Addressing Risk
Led by Kate Knuth, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and doctoral student in conservation biology at the University of Minnesota