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From Complex Science to Contentious Policy: Lessons from Global Warming

Ronald G. Prinn SCD '71

Generation Next: What Do They Really Need to Know and How Do We Help Them Learn It?

Dr. Shirley Malcom: June 8, 2002; Running Time: 01:09:00

About the Lecture

About the Lecture

From Complex Science to Contentious Policy: Lessons from Global Warming

Introduced by MIT President Charles Vest

Generation Next: What Do They Really Need to Know and How Do We Help Them Learn It?

Lecture Details

Location: Kresge Auditorium

About the Speakers

Ronald G. Prinn SCD '71

TEPCO Professor of Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Director, Center for Global Change Science; Co-Director of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change

Ronald Prinn's research interests incorporate the chemistry, dynamics, and physics of the atmospheres of the Earth and other planets, and the chemical evolution of atmospheres. He is currently involved in a wide range of projects in atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemistry, planetary science, climate science, and integrated assessment of science and policy regarding climate change.

He leads the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE), in which the rates of change of the concentrations of the trace gases involved in the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion have been measured continuously over the globe for the past two decades. He is pioneering the use of inverse methods, which use such measurements and three-dimensional models to determine trace gas emissions and understand atmospheric chemical processes, especially those processes involving the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere. Prinn is also working extensively with social scientists to link the science and policy aspects of global change. He has made significant contributions to the development of national and international scientific research programs in global change.

Prinn is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), a recipient of AGU's Macelwane Medal, and a Fellow of the AAAS. He co-authored Planets and their Atmospheres: Origin and Evolution, and edited Global Atmospheric-Biospheric Chemistry. Prinn received his Sc.D. in 1971 from MIT; and his M.S. and B.S. from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Dr. Shirley Malcom

AAAS Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs

Shirley Malcom is Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs. A former high school science teacher, university faculty member, and NSF Program Officer in science education, Dr. Malcom holds a Ph.D. in ecology from Penn State University. She serves on a number of boards and committees related to science policy and science education at local, state, national, and international levels. She is a trustee of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and American Museum of National History. Dr. Malcom was appointed by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate as a member of the National Science Board and serves as a member of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. She is author or co-author of numerous publications related to the mission of EHR including, Equity and Excellence: Compatible Goals; Science Assessment in the Service of Reform, and The Effect of the Changing Policy Climate on Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Diversity. As directorate head Dr. Malcom is responsible for ensuring programmatic development, adherence of EHR programs to support AAAS' mission, and garnering financial support for EHR projects. She also serves as spokesperson and advocate for EHR issues and principal investigator and intellectual contributor for EHR projects.

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