Getting Scientists in Office

Mon October 14, 12:30 pm

Please join the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media along with 314 Action Education Fund and the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy for an event on scientists in government. Did you know only 4% state legislators nationwide are scientists, engineers or healthcare professionals? Many of our great societal issues require a level of physical scientific knowledge in order to be properly addressed but the majority of the elected officials in the US don’t have science backgrounds. This discussion will focus on scientists and science-degree holders in elected positions and the need for increasing data-driven individuals in political offices.

Hear from Dr. Monica Taylor – the first African American woman elected to the Delaware County Council, Shaugnessy Naughton – the president of 314 Action, and PCSSM’s Director and climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann on the importance of getting scientists elected to government offices. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Parrish Bergquist – Assistant Professor in the Penn Political Science Department.

This event will be at Annenberg School for Communication Room 500 in-person and live-streamed via Zoom (with a recording posted to the PCSSM YouTube for later viewing).

This event is part of Penn Climate Week – for more information and events, please click here.