MSE Seminar: Edward Herderick, Communicating Materials Topics to Decision Makers, Part I: Public Policy

Abstract

These are exciting times for materials technology as innovation in the field from additive manufacturing of metals to advanced photovoltaics delivers tremendous societal benefit.  The key to maintaining that momentum and impact is to ensure that the right technical topics receive strong investment.  Core to that objective, technically trained materials scientists and engineers need opportunities to directly communicate the importance of their work directly to decision makers---and they need to be trained and ready when they get their opportunity!

In part 1 of this 2 parts series, seminar participants will get a chance to learn more about how public policy gets shaped in the US Congress, what it's like to be a Congressional aide, and practice communicating technical topics to leaders through crafting talking points and preparing remarks.  Part of the course will include briefing remarks practice to the group.   

In part 2 of this 2 part series, communicating priorities to business leaders will be discussed.  Building on results from part 1, discussion will include the how priorities get set in an industrial setting and the role of technology in various industries based on customer focus.  Similar to part 1, there will be an opportunity to build a short communication plan for a technical idea and pitch to the group.

Bio

Dr. Edward D. Herderick is the Additive Technologies Leader for GE Corporate Supply Chain and Operations.  As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives Group, Ed leads efforts to expand the depth and breadth of additive manufacturing technology adoption for all 7 of GE's industrial businesses.  Prior to joining GE, Ed was Director of R&D for additive startup rp+m in Cleveland, and Director of the Additive Manufacturing Consortium at EWI in Columbus.  

Ed is a proud 3-time graduate from OSU MSE. After finishing his PhD, he served as the TMS/MRS materials societies Congressional Fellow in the Washington DC office of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. Ed is the director of public and government affairs on the board of TMS, as well as a TMS foundation trustee. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife Michelle and 3 year old daughter Elena.