Otto, Shawn

Shawn Otto speaks to audiences worldwide about the scientific foundations of democracy and the causes and dangers of anti-science authoritarianism.

He is author of the award-winning nonfiction book The War on Science, which predicted the rise of anti-science authoritarians and the threat they pose to democracy. The book has been called “a game changer, and probably the most important book you’ll read this year.” He has advised candidate science debate efforts in many countries.

He also an award-winning screenwriter and novelist, including writing and co-producing the Academy Award-nominated movie House of Sand and Fog, and the LA Times Book Prize finalist literary crime novel, Sins of Our Fathers.

Otto was awarded the IEEE-USA National Distinguished Public Service Award for his work elevating science in American public dialogue. He is cofounder and producer of the US presidential science debates at ScienceDebate.org and the only person to get Donald Trump to answer science questions during the 2016 presidential campaign.

He lives in Minnesota with his wife, Rebecca Otto, the former Minnesota State Auditor and candidate for Governor, in a solar- and wind-powered green home he designed and the couple built with their own hands.