Integrity Statement

All funds accepted by CCST, regardless of their source, are subject to stringent conditions to ensure that these funds do not influence the scope, objectivity, study methods, study group membership, or placement of the CCST Science Fellows. Read more about CCST’s financial reporting.

CCST provides an array of science and technology information, analysis, expertise, and advice to California policymakers. We work diligently to provide these services in a timely manner given the fast pace of public policy decision-making. To meet policymakers’ needs, our deliverables adhere to the highest scientific and technical standards and integrity. Our deliverables fall into two categories:

1. In-Depth Technical Studies: CCST studies are modeled on the rigorous approach taken by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which is widely respected by scientists and policymakers throughout the world. The in-depth nature of these studies equips policymakers to make decisions with a foundation of deep analysis, information, and recommendations.
2. Rapid-Response Products and Services: When policymakers need advice more quickly than our in-depth studies permit, we offer products and services tailored to their needs.

In each instance, experts who contribute to CCST’s studies, products, and services must commit to our standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Our studies adhere to rigorous standards that ensure independence and accuracy. Once a project is funded, we seek Steering Committee members with the required expertise. The Program Committee of the CCST Board of Directors reviews and approves all Steering Committee members. We ensure the credibility of CCST studies by adhering to the highest scientific and technical standards, including independent peer review of the draft reports.

To ensure the integrity of our studies and maintain public confidence in them, CCST follows processes developed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:

• Careful definition of the study;
• Selection of Steering Committee members and vetting of potential conflicts of interest;
• Methods for conducting Steering Committee meetings, information gathering, Committee deliberations, developing consensus within the Committee on the final report, and drafting the study’s findings and conclusions;
• Independent peer review of the draft report prior to its finalization, with independent monitoring of response to peer review.

Read more about the study process.

In addition to in-depth studies, CCST delivers policy-relevant scientific information through rapid-response products and services. These products and services preserve independence and accuracy by drawing on our extensive network of accomplished scientific experts from universities, national laboratories, independent research institutions, government, and the private sector. Rapid-response products and services include:

• briefings that convene experts from California and beyond to help Legislative and Executive Branch staff stay abreast of timely scientific issues;
• workshops and workshop proceedings that convene leading experts to examine issues in depth;
• summary documents (primers, white papers, one-pagers) that provide background on timely policy-relevant science and technology topics;
• roundtables and standing committees that meet regularly and provide ongoing guidance on particular subjects.

The CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program is funded through generous support from the State of California and philanthropic donors. Funding supports CCST’s recruitment, selection, and placement process; fellowship stipends; and ongoing professional development for Fellows. Funders are prohibited from influencing the selection or placement of a Fellow. The funding for the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows ensures that CCST can provide science and technology advice to State policymakers for years to come.

Prior to accepting a fellowship position, Fellows agree to be an honest broker, to provide nonpartisan scientific information, and to exclude their own biases from their analyses and recommendations. Fellows must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest or ethical issues, which could result in assignment to another project. For this reason, they are advised to notify their Placement Office Mentor and CCST immediately so that the conflict can be documented and resolved.