CCST Newsroom

CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Placing PhD Scientists into Policy Careers Update (3/12/2024): The application for the CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellowship has closed. Applications will reopen on December 1st for the next class year. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is accepting applications for the CCST Science & Technology […]

It’s the Journey, Not the Destination It’s time for the walls that separate scientists from each other and the outside world to come down. This sentiment echoed throughout AAAS 2024 and served as the theme for the conference, “Toward science without walls.” Chosen by AAAS President Keith Yamamoto, he emphasized his careful choice of words, […]

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for a Resilient California Our kickoff “Blue Sky” panel brought together a diverse group of experts to explore the untapped potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mitigate the impact of disasters, particularly in the context of California’s unique challenges and the escalating impacts of climate change. California Secretary for Government Operations […]

The awardees were recognized at CCST’s S&T Week Reception and Leadership Awards Ceremony by members of CCST’s Board of Directors and other leaders from CCST’s Partner Institutions. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) was proud to recognize the recipients of the 2024 CCST Leadership Awards for Science in Public Service: Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, […]

The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) was excited to host the 2024 CCST Science Translators Showcase, held as part of our 2024 Science & Technology Week at the California State Capitol! During this networking event, the chosen Translators (graduate students and postdoctoral researchers) discussed their research with elected members, legislative staffers, agency managers, and senior policy […]

California’s future is expected to be more smoky as wildland fires become more common. Beneficial wildland fires can improve forest health and reduce the risk of destructive fires, but exposure to fire smoke adversely impacts human health. This CCST Expert Briefing will explores opportunities to build more robust connections between forest management and public health […]

Serving as the kickoff event to CCST Science and Technology Week 2024, this “Blue Sky” panel brings together a diverse group of experts to explore the untapped potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mitigate the impact of disasters, particularly in the context of California’s unique challenges and the escalating impacts of climate change. Together, […]

Appointed as an Independent Director, Louis brings experience in the public and private sectors, innovation, business diversity, and technology SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Louis Stewart, an innovation and strategy executive with more than 19 years of experience in the private sector and 13 years serving in the public sector, has been appointed to the California Council on Science […]

  WATCH All About the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Informational Webinar and Live Q&A with Alumni Are you exploring career options where you can use your PhD to have a real world policy impact? Watch this webinar to learn more about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, where PhD scientists, social scientists, […]

MON. JAN. 22 | 11AM PT | LOB 100 Key Challenges for California’s Energy Future Presentation and Q&A with the Steering Committee Register to Attend Join the California Council on Science and Technology for an upcoming briefing on our Energy Primer, Key Challenges for California’s Energy Future, presented in partnership with the California Latino Capitol […]

MEET THE NEW FELLOWS Introducing the 2024 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows See where these talented PhD scientists will be spending their Fellowship year in California State Government. SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2024 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating 15 years of Fellows, the program places PhD level scientists, […]

Bruce Darling and Charles Harper, MBA, are retiring from the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), after each serving for more than two decades. Bruce Darling, who joined the CCST Board in 1997, served as Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council from […]

In 2023, CCST celebrated 35 years of strengthening California policy with science. Along the way, we significantly grew our impact, achieved milestones years in the making, and embraced some big changes. This fall, after bidding farewell to our CEO and long-time champion Amber Mace, I stepped in as Interim CEO, and I’m more inspired than […]

The California Council on Science & Technology seeks a dynamic and visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next era of impact as it refines and broadens its core mission of informing and catalyzing science and technology policy that positively impacts one of the most innovative and vibrant economies in the world, […]

Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brine Lithium is a key component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and is considered critical for the clean energy transition. Watch this CCST Expert Briefing, a follow up to our recent briefing on the Lithium Supply Chain, where the panel discusses the technology required to filter lithium out of geothermal brines, the […]

Lithium Supply Chains: Charging Our Future with Sustainable Sources The degree to which the U.S. lithium battery supply chain relies on foreign imports poses a threat to U.S. national and economic security. California’s efforts to support lithium extraction from geothermal facilities and attract other steps of this supply chain is one piece of a broader […]

  There are many ways that being a scientist can help prepare someone to work in a policy role, and I’ve come to see that my work both inside and outside of the lab helped set me up for success. Subject matter experts play an important role in state agencies and legislative policy committees. Having […]

Update (11/13/2023): The application for the 2024 CCST Science Translators Showcase is now closed. Please join us for the event and sign up to hear about future opportunities and events from CCST. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is excited to seek graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty in California for the […]

Appointed as an Independent Director, Jeff brings experience in the government, private sector, consulting, and academia SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Jeffrey Scott, a finance and strategy executive with over 30 years of experience in government, the private sector, consulting, and academia, has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors as an […]

  Where are you placed? I’m working in the office of Senator Maria Elena Durazo, who represents neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles for the 26th District. I staff her on policy issues that are addressed in the following Senate committees: Energy, Utilities, and Communications; Transportation; Agriculture; and Health. I’m also staffing several bills […]

Watch: The Human Health Benefits of Improving Forest Health in California Download the Full Report (PDF)  |  Download the One Pager (PDF)  |  View the Slide Deck (PDF) With health impacts from wildfire smoke estimated to be one of the largest costs of wildfires, a new study from CCST and Blue Forest shows that improving […]