Economics Chair Laura Taylor Appointed to NASEM Committee

Posted February 9, 2023

Laura Taylor, professor and chair of the School of Economics, has been appointed to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine standing committee on the Use of Emerging Science for Environmental Health Decisions.

The group “focuses on the premise that environmental health decisions should be based on the best available science — and that science is constantly advancing. The Standing Committee is leading innovative approaches to address the challenges of translating emerging scientific information to policy decisions that improve public health.” For example, a recent workshop explored how to leverage AI and machine learning in environmental health research. 

Taylor will contribute her expertise on policy evaluation and the valuation of natural resources and the environment. 

“These workshops will bring together diverse disciplines to learn from each other and explore how new tools can improve decision-making around personal and public health,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to working with such an interdisciplinary and accomplished group of scientists, public health experts, and engineers.”

Read more about Taylor’s work: 

• Helping Measure the Impact of Air Pollution on South Metro Atlanta Children
• Giving ‘Value of a Statistical Life’ a Firmer Foundation, and a New Name