In 2015 Paul Romer, economist and Nobel laureate, argued that “mathiness lets academic politics masquerade as science.” Pielke has spent the past 25 years exploring various instances of “mathiness” in research, related to contested issues at the intersection of science and politics. This territory is characterized by “uncomfortable knowledge,” a concept developed by his late mentor Steve Rayner. This talk will describe several remarkable instances of “mathiness” where science meets politics and discuss the implications for scientific integrity.
This presentation will be conducted in person and via Zoom. RSVP is requested.
Light refreshments will be served.
About the Speaker
Pielke has been on the faculty of the University of Colorado Boulder since 2001, where he founded and directed the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research and the Sports Governance Center. He teaches and writes on a diverse range of policy and governance issues related to science, technology, environment, and sports. Pielke was recently on sabbatical at the University of Oslo where he worked to help the university start up a pandemic research center. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University College London.
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