Can Scientists Help Fix Congress? Three Candidates and Special Guest Michael E. Mann (Online via Zoom)
Join us on Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT) for a virtual panel on why scientists belong in public office – and how you can help them get there.
Moderated by renowned climate scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann, this conversation brings together three candidates who used their scientific backgrounds to support evidence-based policymaking in the federal government, and have now stepped up to run for Congress.
Dr. Michaela Barnett (TN-02) has a PhD in Civil Engineering, is a small business owner, and served as a Science Policy fellow in the office of Congressman Paul Tonko during the first year of the second Trump administration. She’s running in a seat that has been red since the 1860s.
Dr. Kristin Hook (TX-21) has a PhD in Animal Behavior and served in the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren, the NIH, and the GAO. While at the GAO, she helped make sure our taxpayer dollars are used wisely and effectively and educated Congress on emerging science and tech issues.
Michael Masuda (CA-05) is an electrical engineer who helped develop technology that keeps American soldiers safe before serving as a science policy fellow at the State Department. He’s running to bring an engineer’s mindset to Congress.
Moderator Dr. Michael E. Mann is the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environmental Science and Director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania. He will guide a discussion on the importance of evidence-based policy, what it has been like to be scientists-turned-candidates, and what these three change-makers hope to accomplish once in office.
The evening will include a live audience Q&A and a chance to support these candidates directly. Whether you’re a fellow scientist, an advocate for good government, or just someone who wants more evidence-based expertise in Congress, we hope you’ll join the discussion.
Registration and more information here.
