RAND Corporation

Briefing

Thursday, October 21st

6pm, Starr Auditorium

Belfer Building, Harvard Kennedy School

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit policy institute that provides a collaborative, innovative environment for people who want to see ideas put into action. Started in 1946 to perform research for the U.S. Air Force, today RAND conducts policy analysis on issues ranging from obesity in America to Middle East stability. With over 1,300 employees in locations across the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, RAND is a leader in research and analysis

They will be recruiting for full-time research positions and summer internships.

RAND has 3 U.S. Offices: Santa Monica, Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh

RAND Representative:  Beth Ann Griffin, PhD (Harvard), Statistician

Sense About Science is holding two discussion workshops in Cambridge next Wednesday October 20^th 1:00PM – 5:30PM as part of an Elsevier Seminar event for early career researchers (see further information here: http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/PDF/Bostonflyer.pdf). The event is free, but those interested in attending should RSVP here by Friday: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BostonPublishingConnect.

STANDING UP FOR SCIENCE

Do you think it is important for good science and evidence to be communicated to a wider audience?

What happens when research announcements go wrong; statistics are manipulated; risk factors are distorted; or discussions become polarised? How do journalists approach stories? Balance the need for news and entertainment with reporting science?

Speakers: Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science ;Julia Wilson, Voice of Young Science coordinator, Sense About Science; Karen Weintraub, freelance health and science journalist; Chris Reddy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Marshall Thomas, Science in the News

WHAT’S UP WITH PEER REVIEW?

Should peer review detect plagiarism, bias or fraud? What does peer review do for science and what does the scientific community want it to do for them? Should reviewers remain anonymous? Does it illuminate good ideas or shut them down?

Speakers: Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science; Adrian Mulligan, Associate Director, Research & Academic Relations, Elsevier; Emilie Marcus, Senior Editor, Cell.

The GSAS Science Policy Group invites you to attend:

a Boston-wide Science & Technology Policy mixer
Wednesday, October 20, from 7pm to 9pm
Dudley House, Harvard Yard
Food and drinks provided

STP Crossroads is a network of student groups in the Boston area committed to the intersection of the science, technology and policy (STP) communities.  Our primary goal is to bring together those groups, foster connections between them, and encourage the Boston STP community to become more open, visible, and cooperative.  Last spring STP Crossroads started an annual symposium, and we are interested in recruiting new groups and individuals to participate in this inter-discplinary and inter-institutional initiative.

For the fall mixer, we’re hoping to get a couple representatives from each group.  The mixer will be low-key: no panels or guest speakers, no fancy dress code, just some food, a few beers, and fascinating people from throughout the Boston STP community.  During the mixer, attending groups will have the opportunity to share with everyone who they are, and what they do, and
there will be plenty of time for mingling and networking.  In addition, we at he coordinating committee with take a few moments to share with you our thoughts for our next symposium in February, which we’re very excited about putting together. For more information about STP Crossroads, or to RSVP for the mixer (not required, but suggested), please visitwww.stpcrossroads.org.