Advising the Government: Advising the Government: Creating Sound Science Creating Sound Science

PolicyPolicy

The Elusive Concept of The Elusive Concept of “Policy”“Policy”

What is it?What is it?Who/what determine it?Who/what determine it?Who enforces it?Who enforces it?How is it changed?How is it changed?

According to Webster…According to Webster…

Policy is…Policy is…– Any plan or course of action designed to Any plan or course of action designed to

influence and determine decisions or influence and determine decisions or actionsactions

– A guiding principle or procedureA guiding principle or procedure

Some ExamplesSome Examples Doctoral qualifying examDoctoral qualifying exam Private use of company InternetPrivate use of company Internet Make-up exams and tardy submission of homeworkMake-up exams and tardy submission of homework Racial profilingRacial profiling ImmigrationImmigration Rates of industrial emission of toxic materialsRates of industrial emission of toxic materials Use of Internet by employeesUse of Internet by employees Right to dieRight to die CloningCloning

““Public” PolicyPublic” Policy

Is a process that draws out the Is a process that draws out the collective wisdom of a diverse group to collective wisdom of a diverse group to reach a common public goalreach a common public goal

Does not involve the generation of Does not involve the generation of knowledge, but the (wise) use of itknowledge, but the (wise) use of it

What Policy is NOTWhat Policy is NOT

LAW!!!LAW!!!

Development of Science Development of Science PolicyPolicy

ScientistsScientists discover and communicate facts and uncertainties discover and communicate facts and uncertainties Policy analystsPolicy analysts consider the above in light of values held by consider the above in light of values held by

various sectors and frame the problems as well as propose various sectors and frame the problems as well as propose courses of actioncourses of action

Decision makersDecision makers (company leaders, legislators) make the final (company leaders, legislators) make the final decisiondecision

CommunicatorsCommunicators (media) facilitate understanding by the public (media) facilitate understanding by the public Policymakers assess the significance by making Policymakers assess the significance by making value value

judgmentsjudgments to determine how research outcomes will be applied to determine how research outcomes will be applied

The Politicization of ScienceThe Politicization of Science

Global climate changeGlobal climate changeGenetic engineering/cloningGenetic engineering/cloningStem cell researchStem cell researchOthers…Others…

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

Don’t want to makedecisions that upsettheir constituency; pass the buck to thescientist funding!

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

Get $$ to expandknowledge and helpresolve policy issues(IPCC)

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

Looking for scientificdata to support theirposition

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

Looking for scientificdata to support theirposition

Looking for scientific data to support theirposition

An “Iron Triangle”An “Iron Triangle”

Policy Makers/Legislators

Advocates/Lobbyists Scientists

Looking for scientificdata to support theirposition

Looking for scientific data to support theirposition

Provided the outcomesupports their position!

Science Becomes the Battle Science Becomes the Battle GroundGround

Science Becomes the Battle Science Becomes the Battle GroundGround

Legitimate debate about values and Legitimate debate about values and interests is being replaced by tactics of interests is being replaced by tactics of professional character assassination, spinprofessional character assassination, spin

The war zone: policy analysis versus The war zone: policy analysis versus political advocacypolitical advocacy

The War ZoneThe War Zone

Policy analysis Policy analysis increasesincreases the range the range of alternatives available to decision of alternatives available to decision makers by associating scientific makers by associating scientific results with a range of choices and results with a range of choices and outcomesoutcomes

The War ZoneThe War Zone

Political advocacy Political advocacy decreasesdecreases the the range of alternatives, often down to range of alternatives, often down to a single result that supports the view a single result that supports the view of a party or legislatorof a party or legislator

Example: Global WarmingExample: Global Warming

The IPCC does not assess scientific results The IPCC does not assess scientific results in the context of policyin the context of policy

Leads to interpretation by advocates, Leads to interpretation by advocates, lobbyists, industry, interest groupslobbyists, industry, interest groups

The objective research outcomes fit The objective research outcomes fit everyone’s need but are entirely politicizedeveryone’s need but are entirely politicized

Hot Off the PressHot Off the Press CLIMATE: Boxer, Inhofe take IPCC debate to the airwavesCLIMATE: Boxer, Inhofe take IPCC debate to the airwaves In a joint appearance on CNN's In a joint appearance on CNN's Larry King LiveLarry King Live, EPW Committee , EPW Committee

Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and ranking member Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and ranking member James James Inhofe (R-Okla.)Inhofe (R-Okla.) sparred over the significance of the sparred over the significance of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's fourth report, scheduled Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's fourth report, scheduled for release tomorrow morning in Paris.for release tomorrow morning in Paris.– The IPCC analysis "is not a report," he added. "This is a The IPCC analysis "is not a report," he added. "This is a summary for summary for

policymakerspolicymakers."."– Inhofe read a passage from an IPCC planning document that said Inhofe read a passage from an IPCC planning document that said

"changes (other than grammatical or minor editorial changes) made "changes (other than grammatical or minor editorial changes) made after acceptance" of a chapter of the forthcoming climate report by one after acceptance" of a chapter of the forthcoming climate report by one of three main IPCC working groups "shall be those necessary to ensure of three main IPCC working groups "shall be those necessary to ensure consistency with the summary for policymakers or the overview consistency with the summary for policymakers or the overview chapter."chapter."

– "Forget about science," he said."Forget about science," he said.

So Who Advises the So Who Advises the Government? Government? FORMALLYFORMALLY

Office of Science and Technology Policy (in the Office of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (in the Office of the White House – President’s Science Advisor) (OSTP)White House – President’s Science Advisor) (OSTP)

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)(PCAST)

National Academies (via the National Research Council, the National Academies (via the National Research Council, the NAS operating arm)NAS operating arm)

National Science Board (NSB)National Science Board (NSB) National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Professionals (via formal Congressional hearings)Professionals (via formal Congressional hearings) Others (e.g., Council on Environmental Quality)Others (e.g., Council on Environmental Quality)

So Who Advises the So Who Advises the Government? Government? INFORMALLYINFORMALLY

Lobbying firmsLobbying firmsUCAR, professional societies (AMS), trade UCAR, professional societies (AMS), trade

organizations (CWSA)organizations (CWSA)Political action committeesPolitical action committeesCivic organizations, Chambers of CommerceCivic organizations, Chambers of CommerceNon-profits and think tanksNon-profits and think tanksFor-profit companiesFor-profit companiesIndividual citizensIndividual citizens

Political appointees (reflect Admin views)Loaners from other agencies

OTSPOTSP

NSTCNSTC

National AcademiesNational Academies Chartered by President Lincoln Advises the nation on issues of science, technology and

medicine Enlists the nation’s most eminent scientists and

engineers

Atmospheric Science FundingAtmospheric Science Funding

H. Bluestein is member of committee

Coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives.

Reports annually to the President on the state of the environment– oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental

impact assessment process– acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of

such assessments.

The National Science BoardThe National Science Board

Origin of the National Science Origin of the National Science Foundation: The Manhattan ProjectFoundation: The Manhattan Project

Intensive 2-year, $2B (in 1940 dollars) effort to Intensive 2-year, $2B (in 1940 dollars) effort to build a fission weapon to end World War IIbuild a fission weapon to end World War II

Involved hundreds of academic scientists and Involved hundreds of academic scientists and technicians – universities were raidedtechnicians – universities were raided

Los Alamos was created to bring everyone Los Alamos was created to bring everyone together in a secure locationtogether in a secure location

At end of war, scientists were heroes (penicillin, At end of war, scientists were heroes (penicillin, radar, the bomb)radar, the bomb)

Office of Scientific Research and Development Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) was created to fund research projects in (OSRD) was created to fund research projects in university and industrial laboratories – university and industrial laboratories – precursor to the NSFprecursor to the NSF

Vannevar Bush – President Roosevelt’s Vannevar Bush – President Roosevelt’s science advisorscience advisor

Directed the OSRDDirected the OSRD Convinced President Roosevelt that the Convinced President Roosevelt that the

best way to continue using US researchers best way to continue using US researchers was to keep them on their campuses and was to keep them on their campuses and fund them with Federal dollarsfund them with Federal dollars

This was a bold new ideaThis was a bold new idea– $20 M in research at universities in 1930s– $90 M by mid 1940s

Key IndividualKey Individual

Manifesto that Created NSFManifesto that Created NSF

V. Bush (1945)Available at http://www.nsf.gov

The NSF Act of 1950The NSF Act of 1950 So-called “Organic Act” that established the NSFSo-called “Organic Act” that established the NSF Signed into law by President Truman on May 10, 1950Signed into law by President Truman on May 10, 1950 Mission: To promote the progress of science; to advance the national Mission: To promote the progress of science; to advance the national

health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes.other purposes.

““The NSF Shall Consist of a National Science Board … and a The NSF Shall Consist of a National Science Board … and a Director”Director”

Unlike ALL other agencies that have science components (NASA, Unlike ALL other agencies that have science components (NASA, NOAA, DOE, DOD, EPA, USGS, etc), the NSF does not reside within NOAA, DOE, DOD, EPA, USGS, etc), the NSF does not reside within a Cabinet Department – it is completely independenta Cabinet Department – it is completely independent

NSF thus is not a traditional “mission agency” though it has a clear mission!

One of the best run agencies in Government

Total Federal S upport:Basic Research at Academic Institutions

$12.6B

NIH61%

NSF20%

Other19%

The NSF TodayThe NSF Today

Annual budget of $6+BAnnual budget of $6+B The NSF is unique – it funds all The NSF is unique – it funds all

areas of science and engineering areas of science and engineering (exclusive of medicine)(exclusive of medicine)

National Science Board Roles and National Science Board Roles and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

The NSB is part of the NSFThe NSB is part of the NSF The NSBThe NSB

– Establishes PoliciesEstablishes Policies of the National of the National Science FoundationScience Foundation

– Oversees and guidesOversees and guides the activities of the activities of the National Science Foundationthe National Science Foundation

– Serves as an independent national Serves as an independent national science policy body that science policy body that provides provides advice to the President and the advice to the President and the CongressCongress on matters of national on matters of national science and engineering policyscience and engineering policy

National Science Board National Science Board MembershipMembership

24 members with the NSF Director an 24 members with the NSF Director an ex-officioex-officio

• Every 2 years, 8 people are nominated by the President, Every 2 years, 8 people are nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate for 6-year termsconfirmed by the Senate for 6-year terms

• Nomination based upon distinguished service and Nomination based upon distinguished service and preeminence in research, education, or public servicepreeminence in research, education, or public service

• Represent academia, industry, and a range of science and Represent academia, industry, and a range of science and engineering disciplines and geographic areasengineering disciplines and geographic areas

Meet 5-6 times per year in person including a retreat, Meet 5-6 times per year in person including a retreat, supplemented with teleconferencessupplemented with teleconferences

Most work done in committeesMost work done in committees

National Science Board National Science Board Review and Oversight ActivitiesReview and Oversight Activities

Review Major ProposalsReview Major Proposals– > 1% of Directorate Budget> 1% of Directorate Budget

Review Major New ProgramsReview Major New Programs– > 3% of Directorate Budget> 3% of Directorate Budget

Oversee NSF Project PlanningOversee NSF Project Planning– MREFC MREFC

Office of Inspector GeneralOffice of Inspector General

National Science BoardNational Science BoardPublications and AwardsPublications and Awards

Respond to Congressional RequestsRespond to Congressional Requests– Budgetary and Programmatic ExpansionBudgetary and Programmatic Expansion

Initiate and Conduct StudiesInitiate and Conduct Studies– Workforce Workforce – InfrastructureInfrastructure– EnvironmentEnvironment– InternationalInternational– Federal Research PrioritiesFederal Research Priorities– EducationEducation

Publish S&E IndicatorsPublish S&E Indicators Administer Honorary AwardsAdminister Honorary Awards

Advising the President and Advising the President and CongressCongress

Responding to Congressional InquiriesResponding to Congressional InquiriesInitiating its own activitiesInitiating its own activitiesThe NSB is very unique and valuable as an The NSB is very unique and valuable as an

advisory body because itadvisory body because it– Answers to no Cabinet department– Can be fully candid and not fear political

pressure

Advising the President and Advising the President and CongressCongress

Responding to Congressional InquiriesResponding to Congressional InquiriesInitiating its own activitiesInitiating its own activitiesThe NSB is very unique and valuable as an The NSB is very unique and valuable as an

advisory body because itadvisory body because it– Answers to no Cabinet department– Can be fully candid and not fear political

pressure

Recent ExampleRecent Example

Advising the President and Advising the President and CongressCongress

Responding to Congressional InquiriesResponding to Congressional InquiriesInitiating its own activitiesInitiating its own activitiesThe NSB is very unique and valuable as an The NSB is very unique and valuable as an

advisory body because itadvisory body because it– Answers to no Cabinet department– Can be fully candid and not fear political

pressure

Current ActivitiesCurrent Activities

The need for high-risk, high-payoff researchThe need for high-risk, high-payoff research– Task forceTask force on Potentially Transformative on Potentially Transformative

ResearchResearchChallenges in K-12 STEM EducationChallenges in K-12 STEM Education

– CommissionCommission on 21 on 21stst Century STEM Education Century STEM EducationHurricane Science and EngineeringHurricane Science and Engineering

– Task ForceTask ForceInternational ScienceInternational Science

– Task ForceTask Force

Available at http://www.nsf.gov/nsbAvailable at http://www.nsf.gov/nsb