Cordell Convergence Symposium
October 16 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Cordell Convergence is an annual interdisciplinary conference examining emerging issues at the intersections of medicine, law, data, technology, and ethics. Rooted in the collaboration between Washington University School of Law and Washington University School of Medicine, the conference seeks to foster meaningful intellectual convergence: bringing together scholars, policymakers, clinicians, and practitioners to engage in shared inquiry rather than parallel disciplinary conversations. It will also serve as a platform for collaboration across Washington University schools and centers whose work engages with governance, medicine, technology, ethics, public health, and public policy.
Panel One
Diagnosing the Moment: The Shifting Landscape of Evidence-based Policymaking
What has changed in the landscape of evidence-based policymaking, and why does it matter?
Moderator
Neil Richards
Koch Distinguished Professor in Law, Washington University School of Law and Faculty Co-Director of the Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law
Panel Two
Consequences and Tensions: Examining the Impact on Federal Health Agencies
How are these changes affecting the institutions responsible for evidence-based policymaking?
Speaker
Jennifer Layden
Associate Dean for Practice, Professor, Bursky School of Public Health, WashU (CDC/Public Health)
Moderator
Rachel Sachs
Wiley B. Rutledge Professor of Law, Washington University School of Law; Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law
Panel Three
Convergence in Practice: Vaccine Policy as a Case Study
What do these changes look like in practice? And what can vaccine policy teach us about the importance of scientific expertise?
Speaker
Caitlin McMurty
Assistant Professor, The Brown School and Co-Lead, Advocacy and Global Health EXPLORE Pathway, WashU Med
Speaker
Dr. George Hoganson
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine; Assistant Professor of Public Health; Assistant Professor of BiologyMedical Director for Convenient Care/After Hours Clinics; Course Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program (PEMRAP)Member, Children and Youth Collaborative Network
Speaker
Richard Hughes IV
Member of the Firm, Epstein, Becker, & Green (lead counsel in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy)
Moderator
Richard Cote
Paul and Ellen Lacy Professor of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law
Panel Four
Future Directions: Strengthening Evidence-Based Policymaking
Given everything we’ve heard today, what should we be preparing for, and what needs to change?
Speaker
Joshua M Sharfstein
Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, Distinguished Professor of the Practice, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Speaker
Kirk Nahra
Partner, Co-Chair, Artificial Intelligence Practice & Co-Chair, Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice, Wilmer Hale
Moderator
Neil Richards
Koch Distinguished Professor in Law, Washington University School of Law and Faculty Co-Director of the Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law