The George Washington University is partnering with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to welcome leaders from the science, government, higher education and private sectors for a milestone event at the intersection of research and public policy.
The AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy is one of the nation’s leading gatherings focused on policy issues shaping the scientific and research enterprise. The two-day event, taking place Nov. 19-20 at the University Student Center, will bring together more than 200 experts, policymakers, researchers and institutional leaders to discuss how science and technology can inform decision-making and address pressing societal challenges.
“George Washington University is the ideal partner to host this year’s special anniversary of the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy,” Sudip Parikh, AAAS Chief Executive Officer and Executive Publisher of Science Journals, said. “Its professors, programs, and students reflect the connections among scientific research, data science, and policy. GW serves a crucial role in all the sectors of the research ecosystem, and I look forward to being a part of the upcoming Forum along with GW’s leaders.”
For GW, hosting the forum reflects the university’s growing relationship with AAAS and reinforces the university’s role as a national convenor of conversations that connect research, policy and public impact. GW is a founding institutional member of AAAS and a multi-year sponsor of the organization’s annual meeting, and hosting the forum marks another significant step in that partnership.
"The George Washington University has remarkable strengths at the intersection of research, policy and public service, making it an ideal setting for conversations about the way forward for government to support scientific inquiry and technological application," said GW Provost Edward J. Balleisen. "We are excited by the opportunity to host the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy. By bringing together researchers, policy-makers and institutional leaders, the gathering will sharpen thinking about the policies that can strengthen America's scientific research engines and facilitate the translational work that can make such a difference to individuals and communities."
This year’s event carries special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program, which has long tracked and analyzed federal investments in research and development. In recognition of that milestone, forum discussions will examine how federal research funding and scientific data shape the U.S. research enterprise and society.
Organizers have designed the program around two major themes: scientific data infrastructure and research funding policies and models. Sessions will explore challenges and opportunities related to collecting, managing and using increasingly large and complex datasets, as well as evolving approaches to federal grantmaking, research administration and funding policy. Participants will also take part in a forward-looking foresight exercise, envisioning what research funding and scientific data systems could look like 10, 30 and even 50 years from now.
A number of GW leaders and experts will join this year’s forum.
Balleisen will deliver welcome remarks on the first day of the conference, and Interim Vice President for Research Evangeline Downie will join a panel on the state of federal grantmaking policy.
Susan Anenberg, professor and chair of the Environmental and Occupational Health Department at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health and director of GW’s Climate and Health Institute, will join a panel that shares how different stakeholders use federal data in their research to help shape solutions and policymaking around tough societal challenges.
Kei Koizumi, a research professor in international affairs and science and technology policy at the Elliott School of International Affairs, will moderate a panel of embassy staff who work on fostering international science. He will also give a talk reflecting on the major policy moments he observed as the former director of the AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program.
Emily Blumenthal, a data services librarian at GW, will moderate a session on the difficulty of data maintenance and continuity and the role the federal government has played historically in both.
“GW’s growing partnership with AAAS strengthens our ability to connect research, policy and public impact while further distinguishing us as an institution,” said Interim Vice President for Research Evangeline Downie. “As a longtime AAAS member, I have seen firsthand how the organization creates opportunities to build connections, access valuable resources, engage in science policy discussions and contribute to a stronger, more innovative research ecosystem, both nationally and internationally.”
As GW continues to expand its collaboration with AAAS, members of the university community are encouraged to take advantage of another benefit of the partnership: complimentary AAAS Elemental Memberships available through GW’s institutional membership. The memberships provide access to AAAS resources, professional development opportunities, science policy content and a broad network of researchers, practitioners and science communicators.
Those interested in learning more about the program and registering can visit the AAAS forum site.