Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

National security: public and private sector expertise mix at CIRES symposium

Policy center event addresses role of science in homeland security

By Rachel Hauser
winter, 2002

Oct. 10, 2002: Gary Hart led discussions at " Science, Technology and Security, Knowledge for a Post-9/11 World" convened by CIRES Center for Science and Technology Policy Research. Outlining four revolutions changing society today in globalization, information, the declining sovereignty of nation-states, and in the rules of warfare, Hart urged listeners to get back into public service. "There is a role here for science and technology," he said.

"Engaged citizens are the backbone of democracy," said former Senator Gary Hart addressing security specialists, scientists, administrators and policy makers at a symposium hosted by CIRES' Center for Science and Technology Policy Research [ About the Center ] (CSTPR) this past October. But, Hart said, the best people are staying away from government service.

Organizers designed the two-day event, "Science, Technology and Security: Knowledge for the Post-9/11 World," to encourage dialogue among national decision makers and scientists from institutions along the Colorado Front Range. Symposium objectives included identifying ways science and technology can enhance homeland security and dialogue on how to keep security policies from impeding ongoing science and technology research.

In early 2001, Hart, Warren Rudman, former Republican senator for New Hampshire, and 13 other bipartisan political luminaries released a congressionally mandated report on national security that warned about the high likelihood of a terrorist strike on the United States. Post-September 11, Hart and Rudman continue to press for proactive decisionmaking by government officials that recommends inclusion of scientists and technology experts.

"Don't wait for a policymaker to call you up." Hart urged the event's 60 participants, "Think creatively now and pull them in."

"The House Science Committee noted that this administration's Homeland Security Plan falls short on organizing and using the scientific research and development required to achieve homeland security goals and got the first discussions going," said Roger Pielke Jr., the center's director.

"One of only a few groups to talk about the role of science and technology as it relates to homeland security, the Committee hearings addressed technology's management and use."

"Our center's area of proficiency lies in understanding how science and technology might assist in policy decision-making," Pielke said. "We wanted to pick up what the Committee began and add the vital perspective that Front Range experts offer."

In 2000, of the 50 states, Colorado ranked ninth in terms of per capita federal research and development funding according to an American Association for the Advancement of Science report.

The symposium offered a forum for attendees from organizations as disparate as the American Water Works Association's Research Foundation and CU's Health Sciences Center to meet and discuss ways to collaborate on issues such as preventing or treating drinking water contaminated by smallpox or anthrax viruses.

Participants from national labs, like the National Institute of Standards and Technology, were provided an opportunity to talk to experts from private engineering companies about designing air-duct sensors capable of assessing air quality to thwart airborne bioterrorist attacks.

"It made sense to gather science and policy authorities from surrounding universities and research institutions, government entities and the private sector to share knowledge and form new connections," said Pielke. The symposium coincided with the center's official recognition by the University of Colorado.

"The symposium helped to integrate activities across departments," said Bobbie Klein, managing director of the CIRES center. "It drew a wide range of people, working either directly or peripherally in areas relevant to security."

"We hoped that discussions might bridge the communications gap that often exists between those working in labs and decision makers in the field," Klein said.

For two days of talks, CIRES Policy Center symposium drew 60 national and local experts interested in computer security, bioterrorism, water security, support for homeland defense, and emergency management.

Consideration of policies related to conducting science and technology research, specifically research designed to aid in the security effort, generated intense discussion.

"Traditional scientific exchange of information, publication of results, and open research reviews and criticism are challenged now. The question arises, if certain results can't be published, what does that do to the way science is conducted?," said Klein.

"For two days we had a group of people together in the same room that have never been together before," said Pielke. "I hope that connections have been established and that, having met each other at this symposium, participants will continue to collaborate with those at other institutions."