Politicization of Science, Oct 8

Tonight is the Connecticut Valley Section of the American Chemical Society sponsored talk by Dr. Raywat Deonandan, award-winning journalist and author, and professor of epidemiology at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Deonandan is speaking on “The Politicization of Science.”

The talk will begin at 6:00 PM in Davidson Hall’s Torp Theater The talk is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

“We scientists have been traditionally perceived by the general public to be champions of empiricism--people whose attitudes, priorities and beliefs are informed first and foremost by evidence.  But personal biases, beliefs, fears and values have always been a part of science, from the purest days of Newton to the modern use of statistics to define our public health agenda.  Surprisingly, these biases go largely unexamined by scientists, even as we strive to be completely evidence-based.  Meanwhile, some seemingly duplicitous forces in society seek to co-opt science's image as unbiased and unassailable for more directed, political ends. What does it all mean for the well-meaning scientist of today, whose assumed goal is nothing less than the elucidation of truth?”
http://www.deonandan.com