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Marjory S. Blumenthal

Photo of Marjory Blumenthal
Director, Science, Technology, and Policy; Senior Policy Analyst
Washington Office

Education

M.P.P., Harvard University; A.B. in population studies, Brown University

Media Resources

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Overview

Marjory Blumenthal is a senior policy analyst and director of RAND's Science, Technology, and Policy Program. Prior to joining RAND, she served as executive director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Blumenthal's PCAST projects addressed how systems engineering can improve the delivery of health care, the challenge of protecting privacy in the context of big data, new directions for cybersecurity, how information technology can improve education and training, the implications of new technologies for cities, biosecurity, design and evaluation of research programs, and more. Previously she was associate provost, academic, at Georgetown University, developing academic strategy, strengthening the sciences and the overall research program, and promoting innovation in areas from international engagement to teaching and learning. Before starting at Georgetown, Blumenthal was the founding executive director of the National Academies' Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB). She convened and teamed with technologists, social scientists, and other experts, producing over 60 influential books and reports that addressed the full range of information technologies and their societal impacts. Blumenthal holds an M.P.P. from Harvard University.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Chari, Ramya, et al., The Promise of Community Citizen Science, RAND (PE-256), 2017

Miller, Ben, et al., Inching Toward Reform: Trump's Deregulation and Its Implementation, (PE-241), 0

Commentary

  • Car driving autonomously with LIDAR sensor

    The New AV Challenge: Creating a Universal Safety Framework

    Autonomous vehicle developers are pursuing different safety strategies and technologies, making different claims, in different ways, about their systems. A universal framework could provide a more consistent and transparent view of progress in AV safety within and across the industry, better informing the public and policymakers.

    Nov 2, 2018 Axios

  • Robots working with cardboard boxes on a conveyer belt

    AI's Promise and Risks

    Artificial intelligence seems to be advancing faster than efforts to understand its potential consequences, good and bad. And discussions about AI often veer toward extremes. More balanced, rigorous analysis is needed to help shape policies that mitigate AI's risks and maximize its benefits.

    Oct 24, 2017 TechCrunch

  • Floating ice and iceberg in Antarctic Peninsula

    When It Comes to Climate, Look for Vulnerabilities in Policy, Not Science

    Federal policymakers have picked up on the concept of red teaming — actively seeking out one's own vulnerabilities. While red teaming may not make sense for climate science, it does offer great benefits when weighing climate policy options.

    Aug 4, 2017 The Hill

Publications

  • An autonomous car scans the road and stops at a crosswalk

    Report

    Measuring Automated Vehicle Safety: Forging a Framework

    This report presents a framework for measuring safety in automated vehicles (AVs): how to define safety for AVs, how to measure safety for AVs, and how to communicate what is learned or understood about AVs.

    Oct 11, 2018

  • Women test water samples for a water pollution or conservation project outdoors

    Report

    The Promise of Community Citizen Science

    This Perspective examines the transformative potential of community citizen science for communities, science, and decisionmaking.

    Sep 27, 2017

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    Report

    Inching Toward Reform: Trump's Deregulation and Its Implementation

    This Perspective considers how well Executive Order 13771 addresses concerns of supporters of regulatory reform and how agencies and the Office of Management and Budget can best face the challenges and opportunities of implementing regulatory reform.

    May 18, 2017