13th Annual NORDP
Research Development Conference

Opening Keynote: Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation
NSF Strategy Into the Future

Afternoon Plenary: Mark Bayer, Bayer Strategic Consulting
Alternative Facts in the Academy: The Art of Pushing Back and Persuading When Data Aren't Enough

For more than 200 years, evidence-based public policies, rooted in facts and sound science, have been a cornerstone of our democracy. Consequently, the marginalization of scientific expertise ultimately affects policymaking; it warps our laws and regulations, enables harmful activities dangerous to public health and well-being, and erodes confidence in our systems of government. The impacts extend to society from there.

How can Research Development professionals push back against the ongoing assault on science? According to Bayer there are ways to change minds when alternative “facts” and misinformation take root in our organizations.

Join Mark Bayer and leave armed to lay a foundation for cooperation; how to detect alternative facts and artfully dispel them; how to use the power of “gilt by association” to defuse difficult situations; and how to use Emotional Intelligence tools to reduce friction, align interests and increase effectiveness.

Dr. Robert Sellers, Vice Provost for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, University of Michigan
A Discussion of Institutional DEI and Anti-Racism Efforts

(This presentation is made possible by NORDP's Committee on Inclusive Excellence)