PULLMAN, Wash.–Former Presidential adviser on science and technology D. Allan Bromley will speak to the public Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Washington State University about the necessity of scientists, technologists and academics to engage in the political process.
The College of Engineering and Architecture sponsors his appearance at 4:10 p.m. in the Compton Union Building Auditorium and a reception with refreshments at 5 p.m. Both are open to the public without charge.
As the Distinguished Lanning Lecturer, Bromley will provide an insider’s viewpoint on the influence of national politics on the advancement of science, engineering and technological research and education. He also will meet throughout the day with students and faculty to expand their non-academic knowledge about the field, which is the main objective of the Lanning Lecture. The lecture was created 10 years ago by engineering alumnus Jack Dillon, ’41, in honor of his late-wife, Frances Lanning Dillon.
Bromley is the Sterling Professor of the Sciences and Dean of Engineering at Yale University, a National Science Medalist in nuclear physics, president of the American Physical Society, and from 1989-93 directed science and technology policy under President George Bush.
Intimately knowledgeable about the Washington, D.C., and higher-education worlds, he believes that “scientists, technologists and engineers are woefully unaware of how politics affect them, how to interact with politicians, and how the system works. The most basic advice I can give students and academics is to get to know your senators and representatives before crises hit,” says Bromley from his Connecticut office.
“The general impression that the relationship between science, engineering and politics is recent on the world scene is totally wrong,” adds Bromley, who refers to six technological revolutions that have impacted world civilization. “They are the print revolution of the 1430s, the industrial revolution in 1760s, the nuclear revolution of the 1940s, the green revolution in 1960s, the information revolution in 1980s, and the biotechnology revolution in 1990s. The information revolution’s affect on the average citizen today is unrivaled,” he adds.
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Note to editors: Bromley will be available to the media prior to the lecture at 3:30 p.m. in the CUB Ballroom. He also may be reached in advance at 1-203/432-4220.
