Eugenie Scott Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education Oakland, California

Eugenie C. Scott is Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, a not-for-profit membership organization of scientists, teachers, and others that works to improve the teaching of evolution and of science as a way of knowing. Widely considered to be a leading expert on creationism (including intelligent design), as well as one of its strongest opponents, Dr. Scott addresses many components of this controversy, including educational, legal, scientific, religious, and social issues. Her book Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction,   published in 2004, received high praise from the New York Times Book Review (January 2006). In 2005, Scott served as a consultant for the plaintiffs in the monumental case Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, which originated in Dover, Pennsylvania. Judge John Jones ruled strongly against teaching intelligent design or creationism in the public schools.

A former university professor, Eugenie Scott holds a Ph.D. in physical anthropology from the University of Missouri. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and the advisory counsels of several church and state separation organizations. She has held elective offices in the American Anthropological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is the current president of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, for which she has also been Secretary-Treasurer. Honors include the Bruce Alberts Award of the American Society for Cell Biology, the Isaac Asimov Science Award from the American Humanist Association, the First Amendment Award from the Playboy Foundation, the James Randi Award from the Skeptic Society, and the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences. A dynamic speaker, she offers stimulating and thought-provoking as well as entertaining lectures and workshops.