CATE Issues in Agriculture

Scientist Panel

Each fall, as part of the Issues-360 program seminars, the Office of Academic Programs and Agricultural Communications host a panel of Purdue Agriculture faculty to share their areas of research expertise with our undergraduate students.  The group of scientists vary each year based on the subject-matter topic selected.

In 2015, Class III students in Issues-360 attended a panel discussion titled "Science Communication: What Does the Public Hear?"  Three scientists - Candace Croney, associate professor of comparative pathobiology and animal sciences; Charles Santerre, professor of nutrition sciences; and Tom Turpin, professor of entomology - shared their experiences and advice in engaging the public on science issues.  Scientists, media and the public each have their own values and culture that can present communication challenges.  Scientists may not view communicating with the public as part of their mission and may avoid working with media.  Media professionals may view themselves as watchdogs when reporting science knowing that their job is not to advocate for science, but to serve their audiences and uphold the First Amendment.  Science information prepared for the public must, in Dr. Turpin's words, be "dolled up" so that it is interesting, understandable and relevant to non-scientists.

In 2017, the scientist panel, entitled "Politics, Public Opinion and Science," was hosted in October and featured panelists: Linda Pfeiffer, assistant professor of science communication; Wally Tyner, James and Lois Ackerman professor of agricultural economics; and Andrew Whelton, assistant professor of civil, environmental, and ecological engineering.  The focus of the panel: People make many decisions about controversial issues - and science is only one factor in their decision-making.  Learn how public opinion and politics impact science issues and how engaging the public can lead to better decisions.

 Research Seminars

Each department in the College of Agriculture hosts regular Research Seminars featuring faculty experts and scientists in their respective fields.  Review your departmental e-newsletters and our weekly WAS-UP e-newsletter for the dates and times of individual seminars.  Seminars featuring topics related to the Grand Challenges of Agriculture, Food, Science and the Environment will be featured here throughout the course of the academic year.

• Animal Sciences Seminars
• Biochemistry Seminars
• Botany & Plant Pathology Seminars
• Entomology Seminars
• Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Seminars
• Discovery Park Seminars
• Purdue Lectures in Ethics, Policy & Science
• Purdue Lectures & Guest Speakers

Campus Events

• Giant Leaps Series - Barrier-Breaker - Beth Ford, President & CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. - 9/17/19 * 1:30-3:00 pm * Fowler Hall, Stewart Center
• What If? You Are the First to Fly to Mars - Amelia Earhart Aerospace Summit - 9/21/19 & 9/22/19 - Registration Required
• What If? The Next Pandemic is Inevitable - 9/23/19 * 10:30 am - Noon * Loeb Playhouse (Stewart Center)
• What If? Purdue 2050 Conference of the Future - 9/26/19 & 9/27/19 * 8:45 am - 4:30 pm * Honors Hall (Honors College) - Registration Required
• Giant Leaps Series - An Evening with Dr. Ellen Ochoa, NASA Astronaut & First Latina in Space - 9/26/19
• Giant Leaps Series - The Ethics of Eating: Personal & Global Choices - 9/30/19
• Condoleezza Rice - Thomas & Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution - 10/9/19 * All Day * Purdue Convocations