by Andrew Maynard | Dec 24, 2008 | Civic Science, Engagement, Policy, Public Perception
In 2003, Harvard University’s Sheila Jasanoff wrote about what she termed “Technologies of Humility.” Recognizing the growing disconnect between technological progress and its effective governance, Jasanoff explored new approaches to decision-making that “seek to...
by Andrew Maynard | Dec 20, 2008 | Policy
John Holdren is confirmed as the next Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Barack Obama is serious about science and technology. It was clear in the campaign; clear in the President-Elect’s policies, and doubly clear in the speed with which he has...
by Andrew Maynard | Nov 9, 2008 | Communication, Policy
Making sense of scientific information While I was in the UK recently, I picked up a copy of Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science on a tip from a friend. Ben is a medical doctor and writer for The Guardian newspaper—and a vociferous crusader of what he sees as the misuse...
by Andrew Maynard | Nov 5, 2008 | Civic Science, Communication, Policy
Obama and science – Essential bed-time reading for the next Administration Finally, the campaigning is over, everyone knows more about fruit flies than they ever wanted to (thank you Sarah Palin), and on an historic day America has “voted for change.” As the...
by Andrew Maynard | Oct 26, 2008 | Civic Science, Policy
With just over a week to go before the 2008 US presidential election, there’s no shortage of opinions floating around on the key science and technology-related challenges facing an incoming Obama or McCain administration. But while advice swirls around issues like...