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Activity Number:
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230
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Type:
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Invited
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Date/Time:
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Statistical Consulting
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| Abstract - #308101 |
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Title:
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Pro Bono Statistics and Public Policy
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Author(s):
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Yasmin H. Said*+
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Companies:
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George Mason University
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Address:
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4400 University Drive - Mail Stop 682, Fairfax, VA, 22030,
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Keywords:
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pro bono statistics ; volunteerism ; public policy ; global warming ; climate change ; hockey stick
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Abstract:
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Efforts to persuade Congress to enact legislation that affects public policy are constantly being made by lobbyists who are paid by special interests. While this mode of operation is frequently extremely effective for achieving the goals of the special interest groups, it often does not serve the public interests in the best possible way. As counterpoint to this mode of operation, pro bono interaction with individual legislators and especially testimony in Congressional hearings can be remarkably effective in presenting a balanced picture. The debate on anthropogenic global warming has in many ways left scientific discourse and landed in political polemic. In this talk I will discuss our positive and negative experiences in formulating testimony on this topic.
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