Author Archives: Karen Saxe

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About Karen Saxe

Karen Saxe is Director of the AMS Office of Government Relations which works to connect the mathematics community with Washington decision-makers who affect mathematics research and education. Over many years she has contributed much time to the AMS, MAA, and AWM, including service as vice president of the MAA and in policy and advocacy work with all three. She was the 2013-2014 AMS Congressional Fellow, working for Senator Al Franken on education issues, with focus on higher education and STEM education. In Minnesota she has served on the Citizens Redistricting Commission following the 2010 census and serves on the Common Cause Minnesota Redistricting Leadership Circle. She has three children and, when not at work especially enjoys being with them and reading, hiking and sharing good food and wine and beer with family and friends.

Algorithms, China, Congress, and us

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Karen Saxe

Most of what you read in the news about Congress’s activities these days focuses on the debt limit, the infrastructure bill, reconciliation and generally passing bills to accomplish Biden’s legislative agenda to Build Back Better. Oh, and then there is … Continue reading →

Posted in algorithmic bias, Congress, International science | Tagged , | Leave a comment

President Biden’s Research Priorities

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Karen Saxe

On August 27, the White House issued its research and development priorities memo (M-21-32). This is the Biden administration’s first such memo. The memo is, as is usual, signed by the heads of the White House Office of Science and … Continue reading →

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What you missed over the summer—Part 2

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  I know that most of you reading this are or will be teaching this fall and that probably means in-person for the first time in a while (and all the academic and emotional implications this carries), and with mask … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Congress, Higher Education, Immigration, International science | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Math and Congress: What you missed over the summer, so far—Part 1

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Karen Saxe

Depending on how you define “summer,” you may have missed the fact that President Biden now has a mathematician serving as his top science advisor. On May 28, Eric Lander was confirmed by the Senate as Director of the White … Continue reading →

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Mathematicians hit the Hill

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  On June 24 and 25, mathematicians joined scientists across all fields and from across the country for the first ever “virtual fly-in,” organized by the Coalition for National Science Funding. In normal years, CNSF Hill visits[1] take place in-person, … Continue reading →

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President Biden’s first budget shows big changes for science and math

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  On May 28 President Biden released his first full budget proposal, for fiscal year 2022 (FY22). If accepted by Congress, federal funding of mathematics research and education will grow significantly. Law (specifically, the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921) … Continue reading →

Posted in Appropriations, National Science Foundation, NSF | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Major changes coming to the National Science Foundation(?)

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  There is a lot going on in Washington vis-à-vis the National Science Foundation. Several at-first-separate congressional efforts are converging with increased support from the White House and renewed public enthusiasm for, and confidence and interest in science, providing a … Continue reading →

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Science Policy at the AMS

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  I feel confident that your first question is “how can I get involved in the policy work and advocacy in support of mathematicians and our students?” It is a good time for volunteering. You can volunteer for any one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Professional Societies, Science Policy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Washington Update on the first months of the Biden presidency and new Congress

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  We are now a few months into the Biden/Harris administration, and the 117th Congress. Here is a quick overview of some highlights for the math community. Legislation President Joe Biden signed a \$1.9 trillion pandemic response package into law … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Congress, Federal support for science | Tagged | 2 Comments

Update on the Census, Reapportionment, and Redistricting

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Karen Saxe

  The first official Census took place in 1790 and was conducted under Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson; it was taken by U.S. marshals on horseback and counted approximately 3.6 million inhabitants. The original legal purpose of the Census was … Continue reading →

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