Presidential Science Advisors (broadcast Friday, November 16th, 2007)

How important are a president's advisors when it comes to making decisions that deal with science and technology? Scientist Roger Pielke, Jr. interviewed seven of the fourteen most recent Presidential Science Advisors, who served under presidents from Lyndon Johnson to George W Bush. In this segment, Ira talks with Pielke about what he learned from the interviews, and about how future administrations might try to manage the massive amounts of scientific advice available. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

Roger A Pielke Jr
Author, "The Honest Broker: Making Sense of Science in Policy and Politics" (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
Former Director, Center for Science and Technology Policy Research
Professor, Environmental Studies Program
University of Colorado
Bolder, Colorado

Neal Lane
Former Presidential Science Advisor (under Clinton)
Malcolm Gillis University Professor
Senior Fellow, James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Related Links

• Nature: Be Advised

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

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