White House official to discuss science policy

Thomas Kalil, deputy director for policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss the difference between “policy for science” and “science for policy” tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 14) as part of the Neuroscience and Public Policy Seminar series.

Kalil’s talk, titled “Policy Entrepreneurship for Science, Technology and Innovation,” begins at 4 p.m. in Room 341, Bardeen Labs.

Through mechanisms such as priorities of funding agencies, initiatives for high-tech sectors, and support for science, technology, engineering and math education, public policy can have a powerful impact on science, technology and innovation, according to Kalil, who has 12 years of service in the Clinton and Obama administrations. He will cover the role played by OSTP, the sources of ideas that guide science policy and the role played by “policy entrepreneurs” in shaping policy.

The seminar series is organized by the Neuroscience and Public Policy Program, which counts among its coordinating faculty Thomas Kalil’s father, Ronald Kalil, UW–Madison professor of ophthalmology and member of the Neuroscience Training Program faculty.

For more information or if you’re interested in meeting with Kalil, contact Jessica Karis at 262-4932 or karis@wisc.edu.