CCST Newsroom

CCST Hosted First Public Dialogue on the Findings of the AI Frontiers Report with the Co-Leads, Announced Legislative Academy on AI Overview At the epicenter of global AI development, California’s leadership in governing frontier models will influence national and international standards. During this live conversation aboard the Historic Klamath in San Francisco, the co-leads of […]

Description As electrification rapidly expands across sectors, electric utilities face growing pressure to scale grid capacity to meet surging demand, particularly from electric vehicles (EVs), electrified buildings, and high-load data centers. This panel examines the specific challenges and opportunities facing California as it prepares its grid and infrastructure for this dramatic shift in electricity demand. […]

Description Recent disasters have prompted us to rethink how and where we build, and challenged policymakers to develop strategies to protect assets, minimize costs, reduce community displacement, and prevent future catastrophic losses. Moderated by Doug Parsons, host of the America Adapts podcast, the second briefing in our climate change and human mobility series explores how […]

The roundtable connects top government, university, industry, and philanthropy leaders at federal, state, and local levels. The California Council on Science and Technology has joined the National Academies’ Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable (GUIPRR, pronounced “gwipper”) as its first state-level partner. GUIPRR brings together the most senior representatives across sectors to identify shared challenges and ultimately improve […]

Reflecting on 15 Years Now in its 16th year, the CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellowship has shaped the careers of 186 scientists—and counting—while strengthening California’s policies and serving as a model for other states. Now, as states are increasingly becoming laboratories for science policy, co-authors Bruce Alberts, Sarah Brady, Keleigh Friedrich, Amber Mace, and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Responding to a request from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) completed the report “Fumigant Use in California and an Assessment of Available Alternatives: Phase I Report on 1,3-D and Chloropicrin.” DPR announced the release of the report today via a press release. […]

Expert panelists shared insights on how AI technologies can enhance biodiversity conservation efforts through real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and targeted species protection. Discussions covered recent technological advancements, the challenges of implementing AI solutions, and their implications for policymakers in safeguarding ecosystems against climate change and environmental degradation. Some key points from the discussion: Nathaniel Roth: […]

Day One After a much-anticipated wait, our cohort of 14 PhD graduates came together at the California Council of Science and Technology headquarters in Sacramento in November 2024. During the month-long training, we learned the basics of how our state government operates within the legislative and executive branches. This was incredibly eye opening, coming from […]

Disasters’ compounding impacts – much of which can be attributed to global climate change – are accelerating risk exposure for all, starting with society’s most vulnerable, under-resourced communities and regions. Moderated by the creator and host of the America Adapts podcast, this kickoff event brings together experts across climate change science, economics, politics, and migration […]

CCST’s 8th annual Science & Technology Week (February 3-7, 2025) brought together policy leaders, science and technology experts, CCST champions, and our incredible network of partner institutions to discuss some of the state’s biggest challenges and opportunities. We partnered with the University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) Research & Innovation team for two panel […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 CCST Leadership Awards for Science in Public Service: Senator Ben Allen, Speaker Robert Rivas, and Secretary Amy Tong. The CCST Science in Public Service Award is given to public servants who have a clear track record of […]

MEET THE NEW FELLOWS Introducing the 2025 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 2025 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now in its 16th year, the program places PhD level scientists, engineers, […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Start your science policy career today, applications for the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship are now open, due March 3rd. As Fellows, scientists, engineers, and social scientists spend one year in Sacramento working as staff in the State Assembly, State Senate, a State Agency, or Offices of the Governor. Fellows get […]

Sacramento, California — On November 18-19, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) hosted leading experts across sectors for an intensive two-day workshop to shape the state’s hydrogen priorities, “Aligning California’s Hydrogen Research & Innovation Agenda.” This invitation-only gathering brought together diverse perspectives to brainstorm research needs across the hydrogen value chain – from […]

Theresa A. Maldonado, a member of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors, joins an impressive, cross-sectoral task force to shape a Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST). Their work, part of the Science & Technology Action Committee, will help the incoming government update the U.S. vision for science and tech […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— On October 17th, CCST and the California Natural Resources Agency brought together leaders in science and policy from across CCST’s partner institutions, nonprofits, and the State for our second annual Science Day. With more than 350 registrants in-person and online, panelists and attendees shared exciting ideas to build partnerships addressing the many challenges […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Council on Science and Technology is excited to share a special opportunity to support California’s future in artificial intelligence (AI) policy, inspired by the generous series of annual gifts from Irwin Jacobs. In honor of Irwin Jacobs’ birthday on October 18, CCST announced the launch of the Irwin Jacobs & […]

Profile by CCST Program Officer for Alumni Engagement Perry Gee, originally featured in the September 2024 CCST S&T Policy Fellows Alumni Newsletter and modified for publication here. Biswajit (“Bish”) Paul, PhD, is a 2017 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow alum who was placed with the California State Legislature, working with Assemblymember Evan Low and […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Council on Science and Technology announced three additions to its senior staff today. Jason John, PhD, joins CCST as Deputy Director. He will oversee the expansion and coordination of CCST’s science services, communications and outreach, and the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program. John brings to CCST a wealth […]

CCST and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) are thrilled to open virtual registration for Science Day 2024 Thursday October 17th. Virtual registration is free and includes two panel discussions with opportunities for Q&A. Register via Zoom to attend one or both panels virtually. Science Day brings together researchers and experts from across CCST’s partner […]

There is one piece of career advice that has stuck with me over the years: you can only connect the dots looking backwards. As a perennial planner, I was initially resistant to this advice. How could I know what direction to head if I didn’t know where I was going? But looking backwards on my […]