Roger Williams University science professors will help voters discern fact from fiction in “Roundtable: Scientific Controversies and the 2012 Presidential Election,” to be held at Roger Williams University on Tuesday, October 16 at 6 p.m.
Four professors of science and political science will discuss how each presidential candidate’s platform frames the science of such hot-topic issues as women’s health, stem cell research, climate change, energy policies and sustainability.
“We need to educate the public, to prevent the rejection of science by our politicians and their electorate who, even though living in a country with the best universities, at present, dismiss scientific realities essential for our survival,” says Professor Avelina Espinosa, one of the panelists and also the moderator. “And it is not only evolution (her area of expertise) that is rejected but also climate change research, stem cell studies, cloning and vaccinations.”
Other panelists include professors June Speakman, Loren Byrne and Charlie Thomas.
Two student producers will present questions from the audience and from the HawkTheVote Media Lab team, journalism students who are producing this event and reporting on election issues on Twitter. (Follow their election coverage on @HawkTheVote and @HawkTheVoteenes.)
The roundtable discussion is Tuesday, October 16 at 6 p.m. in Global Heritage Hall G01. It is free and open to the public. The Media Lab team will also produce live streaming of the event on www.HawkTheVote.com. The website will go live next week and viewers can link to it through PDQ@RWU.
On the agenda
Each panelist will speak about different areas:
• Avelina Espinosa, Associate Professor of Biology, will talk about science, evolutionary literacy, basic research funding, stem cell research, and vaccinations
• June Speakman, Professor of Political Science, will talk about the policies and politics of women’s health
• Loren Byrne, Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, will talk about sustainability and climate change
• Charlie Thomas, Associate Professor of Engineering, will talk about issues related to energy policies
Agenda
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