Mitchell Center to host talk on becoming a policy entrepreneur Nov. 21
The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine will host a talk titled “Becoming a Policy Entrepreneur: Learning to love the creative and sometimes surreal world of policy making” at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21.
In this talk, Lisa Margonelli, editor-in-chief at Issues in Science and Technology, quarterly policy forum published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Arizona State University, will discuss her path to understanding and participating in policymaking and the kinds of active roles scientists can take to engage with policymakers and become policy entrepreneurs.
In addition to serving as editor-in-chief of Issues in Science and Technology, Margonelli is the author of “Oil on the Brain: Petroleum’s Long Strange Trip to Your Tank” and “Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and Technology.” With a fellowship at the New America Foundation, Margonelli began to propose policies directly to decision-makers in 2006. She came to realize the myriad, and surprisingly chaotic, ways that policy is made. Scientists often provide evidence for policymakers, but actively proposing policies can be a very effective avenue for creative problem solving on a big scale.
All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talks series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall. Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.
Please note that face coverings are required for all persons attending Mitchell Center Sustainability Talks.
Updates for this event will be posted to the event webpage. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196; hallsworth@maine.edu.