AAU Vice President for Policy Toby Smith to talk, Nov 6
US Science Policy: Advocating for Science in an Era of Polarized Politics and Constrained Budgets
Featuring Toby Smith, Vice President for Policy at the Association of American Universities
Monday, November 6
10:45am
Wilson 103
Register here.
Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Graduate School, BRET Office of Career Development, Vanderbilt University Office of Federal Relations, the College of Arts and Science, the Office of News and Public Affairs, and the Vanderbilt Science Policy Group
Toby Smith, Vice President for Policy at the Association of American Universities, will present a talk on U.S. science policy including a discussion of the historical origins of government support for the U.S. scientific enterprise. He will also talk about the current political and fiscal climate, its impacts on science and policy, and how scientists and engineers can effectively advocate for science in the polarized political environment that exists both in Washington D.C. and throughout the country.
Tobin Smith is Vice President for Policy at the Association of American Universities, where he oversees and coordinates policy and policy analysis activities for the organization. Among his specific areas of responsibility are issues relating to science and innovation policy; academic research; regulation, compliance and research costs; technology transfer; and openness and security. Toby also oversees AAU’s Undergraduate STEM Education Initiative. Prior to joining AAU in 2003, Toby worked as a federal relations representative for the University of Michigan and MIT. He began his Washington career on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant to Congressman Bob Traxler (D-Michigan). Toby has written and spoken widely on science policy and funding issues. He is the co-author a book on national science policy titled Beyond Sputnik – U.S. Science Policy in the 21st Century. Toby holds an MS in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University, and a BGS degree from University of Michigan.
