The virtual event, a joint effort of Oregon State University in Corvallis and OSU-Cascades in Bend, will feature a talk by two Oregon State professors: Erika Allen Wolters, assistant professor of political science and associate director of the Public Policy Undergraduate Program; and Brent Steel, professor and director of the Public Policy Graduate Program.
In their talk, “When Ideology Trumps Science: Why We Question the Experts on Everything from Climate Change to Vaccinations,” Wolters and Steel will use examples from policy debates on issues such as climate change, immunization and stem cell research.
Their research identifies the propensity of liberals and conservatives to ignore scientific consensus when it diverges from their ideological positions. During their presentation, they will discuss possible policy-focused approaches for overcoming this divide.
The free Science Pub will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast on YouTube Live. Registration is required and can be completed at: https://beav.es/JYy.
Sponsors of Science Pub include the OSU Office of Research, OSU-Cascades in Bend and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Connect Central Oregon, a collaborative program with the OSU-Cascades Innovation Co-Lab, will produce the event with student interns.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 35 minors and options, and three graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. OSU-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in 2015; its new campus opened in 2016.