Appendix D
About the Roundtable on Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences
The Roundtable on the Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences (PILS) of the National Research Council is a forum that seeks to monitor and improve understanding of the intersections between different life science communities and public audiences on topics that spark public concerns, generate policy debates, or influence market dynamics. The overarching vision of the roundtable is for life scientists to understand the dynamics of public interfaces, and have access to the knowledge and tools needed to develop proactive, collaborative, science-based approaches to public interfaces about emerging topics in the life sciences.
The PILS Roundtable is an active and engaged network that brings together research life scientists, social scientists studying science communication, and professional science communicators. It provides leadership to the life science community through activities that raise awareness among life scientists about the importance of public interfaces; encourage networks among life scientists, communication scientists, informal education experts, and science communicators; and facilitate the development of partnerships and other initiatives among PILS members and their institutions to improve public interfaces for current and emerging life sciences issues.
The PILS Roundtable is led by the National Research Council’s Division on Earth and Life Studies in partnership with the Division on Behavioral and Social Science and Education.