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Inaugural
Robert Fleagle Endowed Lecturer
Dr.
Robert T. Watson
Chief Scientist and Director for Environmentally and
Socially Sustainable Development for the World Bank
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Lecture:
"The Science, Economics, Equity and Politics of Global Warming," PowerPoint Presentation
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Seminar:
"Living Beyond Our Means: Natural Assets and Human Well-Being," PowerPoint Presentation
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About the Speaker
In May 1996, Dr.
Watson joined the World Bank as Senior Scientific Advisor in the
Environment Department. In July 1997, he became the Director of the
Environment Department and Head of the Environment Sector Board.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Dr. Watson was
Associate Director for Environment in the Office of Science and Technology
Policy in the Executive Office of the President in the White House. Prior
to joining the Clinton White House, Dr. Watson was Director of the Science
Division and Chief Scientist for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth at
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Dr. Watson received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from London University in 1973. He has received
many national and international awards and prizes for his contributions to
science, including the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility in 1993 and the insignia of
Honorary Companion of St. Michael and St. George from the British
Government on December 10, 2003.
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Comments by Fleagle at Inaugural Reception
There was a time when U. S. meteorologists were interested
in matters of science policy only to the extent that they affected the
budget of the Weather Bureau.
Fortunately, there came to be enough distributed wisdom in
government that expanded atmospheric research was encouraged in several
agencies in this and other countries.
Research results over time led to new understanding of atmospheric
phenomena and recognition that human activities could harm the physical
environment. As a result,
interaction of science with policy has come to be far more sophisticated
and complex than it used to be. Global aspects have become especially
important.
The Fellowship being inaugurated tonight is
intended to broaden understanding of the interaction of the atmospheric
sciences with science policy for our students and faculty and the general
public. We hope to appoint a series
of Policy Fellows of eminence for short periods, at least one during the
residence of each PhD graduate student.
We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Robert Watson to initiate the
series. Dennis (Hartmann) will
introduce him later on, so I will just say that his achievements in science
and in policy provide him unique perspective. I am looking forward eagerly to hearing
his views on the topics he has chosen for the lecture.
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Prof. Robert Fleagle
(left) and the first holder of the fellowship Dr. Robert Watson (right).
Photo: D. Hartmann
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Fleagle Career Information
Robert G. Fleagle is Professor Emeritus of
Atmospheric Sciences and Senior Fellow in the Joint Institute for Study of
the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University
of Washington. He earned an A.B. degree in physics from Johns Hopkins
University and a Ph.D. in
physics-meteorology from New
York University
before joining the UW faculty in 1948.
His initial strong focus on atmospheric research gradually broadened
to embrace a growing interest in the application of the science to issues
of public policy. He served in the
Office of Science and Technology, Executive Office of the President, in 1963
and 1964 to oversee atmospheric research of the government agencies. Here he witnessed and participated in
many of the crucial actions that led to major advances in the science and
to increasing recognition of the importance of atmospheric processes to the
welfare of the planet. In later years
he served as Chair of the UW Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Chair of
the Committee on Atmospheric Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences,
Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University Corporation for
Atmospheric Research, and President of the American Meteorological Society.
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Inaugural
reception on May 1, 2007 at the UW Club.
Prof. Joost Businger (left), Marianne Kooiman,
Prof. Robert Fleagle and Dr. Rosemary Brodie (right). Photo:
D. Hartmann
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Description of Fellowship
The Fleagle Visiting
Faculty Fellowship in Atmospheric Sciences Policy at the University of Washington
was established by Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Robert G.
Fleagle to broaden understanding for students, faculty, and the broader
public of the interaction of the atmospheric sciences with national policy.
The visiting faculty member is expected to interact with faculty and
graduate students through a set of linked lectures during his/her
appointment and to present one or more public lectures on a topic of
current public interest.
Opportunities for interviews on radio and with editorial boards of
local papers might be sought.
Candidates for this
visiting faculty fellowship shall have made outstanding achievements in both
science and policy and shall not be currently employed by the University of Washington. The person selected
should have achieved distinction both in science and in policy (leadership,
administration, or scholarship).
The recommendation
for appointment shall be made by the Dean of the College of Arts
and Sciences, in consultation with the Chair of the Department of
Atmospheric Sciences in accordance with University policies and procedures
for faculty appointments, and shall be subject to approval by the President
and the Board of Regents.
Each
appointment shall be for a limited term, as recommended by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in consultation
with the Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and shall be
subject to review in accordance with University policies and
procedures.
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Prof. Robert
Fleagle
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