Science and politics have drastically different goals.

The conflicts encountered when the two meet is the topic of a lecture to be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

The speaker, Norman Neureiter, director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, was the science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State for both the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. He stepped down from the position last September.

Yong Lee, professor of political science and director of the Institute of Science and Society, said Neureiter may be more forthcoming with the differences between the presidential administrations since he is no longer a government employee.

“In the current administration, it appears that the policy-makers, and those in high-level science policy advising are not exactly heeding the advice of the scientific community,” Lee said.

He said this is true especially in the areas of climate change, environmental concerns and medical research. Foreign policy and global security are areas that Neureiter has expertise.

“He feels passionately about the situation in Iraq,” Lee said.

He said scientists rarely make good politicians, but for their scientific recommendations to be followed, they need to be.

As an example, Lee said a scientist may want to create a scientific consortium with several countries, only to have a trade representative say, “You can’t include that country because they do not do enough trade with the U.S.” Or a congressperson may come along and say, “You can’t work with a country because of human rights violations.”

Lee said Neureiter is fluent in the languages of both science and politics.

“Neureiter is that rare individual that has the inside view,” he said.

Neureiter is advocating a more effective use of science advising in the development of public policy.

James McCormick, professor and chairman of political science, said he expects a large crowd of both students and faculty members.

The evening talk is sponsored by the Institute of Science and Society, the Committee on Lectures, the Government of the Student Body and other campus organizations.

Neureiter will also speak at the political science brown bag presentation at noon Wednesday in 510 Ross Hall.