Dec 7, 2018
When was the last time a science and policy article went viral?
If you are struggling to think of one, you aren’t alone. With the
help of skilled professionals like Dr. Jeffrey Toney, the tide
might be changing.
Dr. Jeffrey Toney is an educator and a scientist whose career has
spanned academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He serves as
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Kean University
in Union, Toms River, and Manahawkin, New Jersey, as well as
Wenzhou, China. Kean University is focused on access and
opportunity. His news media publications
include Huffington Post, The New York
Times, and The Hill. He also has published more
than 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications and holds six US
patents.
Which classes stood out to you the most when you were in high
school? Did you look forward to gym class where you could show off
your physical prowess? Or did you enjoy that class with the teacher
who made even the dullest subject roar to life with relevance? It’s
no secret that a vast chasm separates science and policy work from
the popular consciousness. We need educators, scientists, and
policymakers who can bridge the divide and help make these vital
topics engaging for the average person.
Surveying this divide, Dr. Jeffrey Toney continually looks for ways
to engage his students and help bridge the gap. With the
understanding that the average scientist struggles in the area of
communication, Dr. Toney makes it a point to mentor his students
and help them overcome this significant barrier. Seeking to connect
his passion for human rights advocacy with popular culture, Dr.
Toney wrote an article for Huffington Post that
received a lot of positive attention. Check out the link to his
article located in the resources section at the end of this
post.
With the recent mid-term elections, science and policy decisions
have been thrust into the headlines once again. As the debates rage
on at Capitol Hill, the question remains, what is the best way to
develop public policy? Dr. Toney states that the best approach to
public policy is to focus on data. Scientists are trained as Dr.
Toney puts it, “to be agnostic about outcomes.” They don’t chase
after something that they already think is true; they follow the
data to establish new truth.
While Dr. Toney doesn’t advocate for a partisan approach, he sees
the value of bringing scientific expertise to bear on policy
decisions. Dr. Toney's engagement in policy work isn’t just theory;
he’s actively engaged in important advocacy work on multiple
fronts. From his work addressing human rights issues to serving on
the advisory board of SurgiBox, it is clear that Dr. Toney doesn’t
just talk about advocacy work, he’s actively engaged in
it.
Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Toney’s fascinating perspective by
listening to this engaging episode of When Science
Speaks.