I just learned "pregame" is a verb from my college daughter, so in that spirit -- here's the buzz before tomorrow's big Energy Summit.
I'm in DC after a morning spent with the pros at the National Science Foundation. The Office of Legislative and Public Affairs folks in the last decade have set the standard for compellingly telling Americans -- and the world - the magic worked with our nation's research dollars. And their telling rocks. Check out www.nsf.gov to see a heap o' plenty primo science stories -- most emerging from universities. Their plug: they rely on, need and demand stories and images of government-funded science research from those they fund.
My favorite quote from science communication guru Josh Chamot: "Communication = research dollars," meaning the better the public understands science, the better positioned science is to be funded. You heard it from the mount, researchers -- call your friendly communicator today.
So, on tomorrow's docket: Hardcore energy. This energy summit is a heavy hitter. U.S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu at 2:30 p.m. (Being an unabashed science groupie, I'm feeling stomach butterflies that used to be reserved for the Eagles.) The speaker list is a Who's Who of industry, government, and higher ed. UM's Mary Sue Coleman is THE Michigan presence. (Research VP Steve Forrest is attending)
Partnership with Newsweek magazine means good reads. Check out the blogs they've been running the past few weeks -- a terrific mix of good energy stories from all sectors.
Tomorrow starts early... tonight I'm meeting old colleagues at a favorite haunt, the newly remodeled top of the former Hotel Washington -- now the POV. Best view of city, and J.Lo was just there Sunday...
