White House to Host Virtual Listening Sessions to Promote Scientific Integrity

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Scientific Integrity Task Force are hosting a series of “Virtual Listening Sessions” July 28-30. The sessions are meant to engage the public who produce, communicate, and use scientific information. The sessions are part of the White House’s efforts to improve scientific integrity throughout the Federal government.
 
Last month, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a Request for Information (RFI) to Improve Federal Scientific Integrity Policies aimed at enhancing public trust in science. The RFI and the new Virtual Listening Sessions are part of an effort to meet priorities outlined in President Biden’s January 27 “Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking,” which directed OSTP to convene a Task Force to review current policies and recommend changes that encourage the development of sound policy governing federal science and technology programs.
 
NSF is encouraging interested parties to sign up to deliver brief oral comments during the three sessions. Speakers will have up to two minutes to deliver their remarks. The three virtual sessions will take place this week, one each on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with each session covering a different topic:
 

1. Session 1: Communications – Effective policies and practices to improve the communication of scientific and technological information, including for engagement of Federal scientists and contractors with news media and on social media.
   Who: News media, science writers, science communicators.
   When: Wednesday, July 28, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
   Session 1 Registration
2. Session 2: Science and Education – Effective policies and practices to support professional development of scientists and researchers of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds; address scientific integrity issues related to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine-learning, and evolving scientific practices, such as citizen science and community-engaged research; improve training of scientific staff about scientific integrity; and handle disagreements about scientific methods and conclusions.
   Who: Scientists, engineers, and educators.
   When: Thursday, July 29, 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT.
   Session 2 Registration
3. Session 3: Use of Scientific and Technical Information – Effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies in promoting trust in Federal science and concerns about a lack of scientific integrity impeding the equitable delivery of Federal Government programs.
   Who: Individuals who use Federal scientific and technical information for decision-making or provision of services; individuals from disadvantaged communities; other consumers of science.
   When: Friday, July 30, 2021, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT.
   Session 3 Registration

 
For more information, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2021/07/14/public-listening-sessions-on-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-policymaking/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.