Responsible Citizenship in a Technological Society

William A. Wulf, president emeritus of the National Academy of Engineering

Thursday, Oct. 8, 1:30 p.m., 239 Broun Hall
Reception to follow on Shelby Center Patio

Abstract:
As President of the National Academy of Engineering, Wulf sat at the nexus of science, engineering and public policy. In this role, he learned that while much public policy has a technical dimension, one that is often neglected - sometimes resulting in bad policy. Wulf will explore ideas to address this issue including an increase the number of engineers in public office and improved education of ordinary citizens to ensure they know enough science and engineering to develop informed public policy.

Biography:
Wulf is currently a University Professor at the University of Virginia. Previously he was an assistant director of the National Science Foundation, founder and CEO of Tartan Laboratories Inc. and a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University.

 Wulf is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, a member of the Academy Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria), and a foreign member of the Academies of Australia, China, Japan, Romania, Russia, Spain and Venezuela. He is the author of more than 100 papers and technical reports, has written three books, holds two U.S. patents, and has supervised more than 25 doctoral students in computer science.