2018 Conference

Individual Paper Presentation

This National Academy of Sciences-funded project examines the communication and use of scientific data, information, and knowledge within the policymaking arena. Integrating existing scholarly literature with new empirical findings from a survey of science communicators, case studies of science-relevant legislating, and qualitative interviews with policymakers, the researchers will propose a set of “best practices” for communicating science to policymakers. The online survey will capture the goals and current practices of those communicating science to policymakers. Qualitative interviews with over two dozen Members of Congress and their staffs will focus on what communication strategies “work” and what don’t (from their perspective). The case studies--including one focused on climate change legislation--will assess the quality of scientific information utilized during Congressional hearings. The proposed conference paper will provide an early look at these data and associated analyses.