The Cordell Convergence 2026 | The Changing Landscape of Evidence-Based Policymaking
October 16 | 8:30 am – 4:30 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 WashU Law and WashU 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 WashU schools and centers whose work engages with governance, medicine, technology, ethics, public health, and public policy.
Lunch provided. 1.0 MO CLE available per panel.
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?
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
Former Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
Neil Richards
Koch Distinguished Professor in Law, WashU Law; Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute
Consequences and Tensions: Examining the Impact on Federal Health Agencies
How are these changes affecting the institutions responsible for evidence-based policymaking?
Speaker
Patricia J. Zettler
John W. Bricker Professor of Law, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
Speaker
Jennifer Layden
Associate Dean for Practice, Professor, Bursky School of Public Health, WashU
Moderator
Rachel Sachs
Wiley B. Rutledge Professor of Law, Washington University School of Law; Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute
Uncomputable: How to Build a Decent Digital Future
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 McMurtry
Assistant Professor, The Brown School and Co-Lead, Advocacy and Global Health EXPLORE Pathway, WashU Medicine
Speaker
Dr. George Hoganson
Assistant Professor of Biology; Emergency Medicine; Medical Director for Convenient Care/After Hours Clinics; Course Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program (PEMRAP); Member, Children and Youth Collaborative Network
Moderator
Richard Cote
Paul and Ellen Lacy Professor of Pathology, WashU Medicine, Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute
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 J. Nahra
Partner, Co-Chair, Artificial Intelligence Practice & Co-Chair, Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice, WilmerHale
Moderator
Neil Richards
Koch Distinguished Professor in Law, WashU Law; Faculty Co-Director, The Cordell Institute