When Cultural Values Hit Physical Values: Experiences of a Chief Scientific Advisor

Saturday, February 18, 2017: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Room 311 (Hynes Convention Center)
Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
While most governments are committed to evidence-based policies, very often arguments based on societal values prevail over scientific evidence when it comes to the point of taking political decisions. The presentation will provide from the point of view of a practitioner some real-life examples, from areas such as health, agriculture, environment, energy, that demonstrate how constructive discussions on science and values can lead to better policies and their acceptance in society.