Harry Bader is pictured at left Tuesday with Terry Chapin, distinguished professor of biology, emeritus.
After former SNRAS associate professor Harry Bader addressed UAF Research Day attendees April 24, he was presented with an award to
recognize his achievements with USAID, a government agency providing U.S.
economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. Bader was recently granted the
USAID medal for heroism.
Employed with UAF’s Research Office since January, Bader
addressed the role of science in diplomacy. “Scientific method demands
humility,” Bader said. “Scientists can never be too strongly wed with an idea.
They should never be afraid to admit when they are wrong.”
addressed the role of science in diplomacy. “Scientific method demands
humility,” Bader said. “Scientists can never be too strongly wed with an idea.
They should never be afraid to admit when they are wrong.”
He noted the increased inclusion of PhD’s in USAID. “Thirteen
of the 16 diplomatic goals require science,” he said. Examples include the
famine early warning system which helps anticipate destabilization and the Summit
2010 in which social scientists quashed conventional wisdom that poverty and illiteracy
cause violent extremism. “Engaged scientists rejected this premise,” Bader
said. “Poverty and illiteracy had nothing to do with it; many countries with
poverty and illiteracy are not violent.”
of the 16 diplomatic goals require science,” he said. Examples include the
famine early warning system which helps anticipate destabilization and the Summit
2010 in which social scientists quashed conventional wisdom that poverty and illiteracy
cause violent extremism. “Engaged scientists rejected this premise,” Bader
said. “Poverty and illiteracy had nothing to do with it; many countries with
poverty and illiteracy are not violent.”
Scientists have to understand the infinite complexities and
natural and human systems to measure things that are important, Bader said.
natural and human systems to measure things that are important, Bader said.
While with SNRAS from 1990 to 2001, Bader taught
environmental law. He served with USAID as the co-team leader on a joint
military/civilian counterinsurgency cell established to deny the enemy human and
financial capital derived from the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
environmental law. He served with USAID as the co-team leader on a joint
military/civilian counterinsurgency cell established to deny the enemy human and
financial capital derived from the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
After leaving UAF, Bader worked
as the Alaska Northern Region land manager for the Department of Natural
Resources, then joined USAID. He holds a law degree from Harvard University and is completing a
doctorate in forestry from Yale University. His new job is to help establish a university initiative addressing issues of polar and environmental security.
Further reading:
Force of Nature, Harvard Law Bulletin, Winter 2012
