Science and the American Presidency

Science and technology play a critical role in addressing the complex challenges facing our world, from climate change and public health to national security and economic competitiveness. In this context, science advice has never been more important to effective policymaking, nor more publicly debated.

Join us for a panel discussion featuring three former presidential science advisors: Kelvin Droegemeier (Trump), Neal Lane (Clinton), and Alondra Nelson (Biden), moderated by Charles Henry, president of the Council of Library and Information Resources. The conversation will explore the panelists’ experiences leading the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). They will also discuss the OSTP’s critical role in shaping national policies to advance science, technology, innovation, and higher education.

The event will be complemented by an exhibit inside Baker Hall that displays the history of science advisors and the role of OSTP in presidential policymaking. Exhibit materials have been curated from the collections of U.S. presidential libraries and the White House Scientists Archive at Woodson Research Center Special Collections and Archives at Rice University’s Fondren Library. The event follows the annual Baker Institute Civic Science Lecture presented by Darío Gil, chair of the National Science Board and vice president for research at IBM, on Mar. 3, 2025. Together, these events highlight critical issues facing the U.S. national research and education enterprise.

This event is organized by the Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program and Rice Innovation. Additional support was provided by the Kavli Foundation and Rice University’s Fondren Library, Science and Technology Studies Program, and Creative Ventures Fund: Conference and Workshop grant.

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