Mission Statement

Science Debate asks candidates, elected officials, the public and the media to focus more on science policy issues of vital importance to modern life. As a registered 501(c)(3), Science Debate is nonpartisan. We encourage everyone to ask their candidates to discuss and debate their science and technology policies for the well-being of our nation and society. All donations are tax-deductible.

Matthew Chapman, President Matthew is an accomplished filmmaker, author, and journalist. He has written and directed five independent movies, most recently The Ledge starring Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Terrence Howard, and Patrick Wilson. His books include Trials of The Monkey - An Accidental Memoir and 40 Days and 40 Nights Darwin, Intelligent Design, God, OxyContin, and Other Oddities On Trial in Pennsylvania. He has also written for Harper’s Magazine, the Huffington Post, and National Geographic, among others. He is a noted speaker on the importance of science and science education, a passion that arose partly from his ancestry as a great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin. Contact Matthew at Matthew@sciencedebate.org.

Sheril Kirshenbaum, Executive Director Sheril works to enhance public understanding of science and improve communication between scientists, policymakers and the public. She has authored two books and her writing appears in popular publications such as Bloomberg and CNN and scientific journals like Science and Nature. Sheril has been a 2015 Presidential Leadership Scholar, a Marshall Memorial Fellow, a legislative Fellow in the U.S. Senate and a Next Generation Fellow through the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. She speaks internationally about science communication and has appeared at events like TEDGlobal and Cuidad de las Ideas. Sheril currently hosts "Our Table" at Michigan State University. Contact Sheril at Sheril@sciencedebate.org.

Ryan Johnson, J.D. is a shareholder at the law firm of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. He is an internationally recognized lawyer for entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators in the health care, medical device, life sciences, and health information technology industries. He frequently lectures and advises clients about issues emerging from the intersection of law, science, and technology. Ryan is a serial social entrepreneur who has founded several organizations designed to enhance the public’s support and understanding of science. Ryan serves on the boards of the Northstar Science Film Festival and ScienceDebate.org. He also serves as vice-chair of the American Bar Association's Science and Technology Committee.