Scholarship

There is an overwhelming need to connect scientific research with relevant public policy. That is our mission: to investigate the social and policy implications of emerging science and technology research. Our state and nation are facing many important challenges in the next few years. We have to make decisions dealing with climate change, our environment, national security, health, and the preservation of our infrastructure. To make these decisions correctly, to make the best possible choices for our public and for our nation, our decision makers have to have the best possible scientific and technological information at their disposal. The purpose of our institute, the Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy, is to examine the processes through which science and technology information is framed and communicated to decision makers and to the public. Through a greater understanding of this process and the tools and techniques that encourage and discourage effective lines of communication, the research done in the Institute can help decision makers and the public make effective, efficient and good choices for solving the problems that we face.