Press Releases

Introducing the 2023 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows
A group photo of the fellows with a blue overlay on the side and text describing the Fellowship with CCST's logo
SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2023 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating its 14th year, the program places PhD level scientists, engineers, and social scientists in Legislative and Executive Branch offices, training them for careers in public policy while helping to equip California’s decision makers with science-savvy staff. APPLY NOW: We are currently […]
CCST Workshop Envisions a More Holistic and Inclusive Public Health System Informed by COVID-19 Response
Zoom screenshot of Amber Mace, Harvey Fineberg, and Rohan Radhakrishna on a white background with CCST logo
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) hosted a workshop with leading public health experts on June 14th and 17th to identify opportunities to strengthen California’s public health system.  Participants were challenged with producing actionable, holistic, and equitable recommendations for policymakers. The workshop was part of the CCST Disaster Resilience Initiative COVID-19 […]
Dr. Ishwar K. Puri Appointed to CCST Board of Directors as USC Representative
A photo of Ishwar Puri in a suit and tie with sunglasses
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Dr. Ishwar K. Puri, Vice President of Research and Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California, has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors by University of California President Michael V. Drake, MD. “Today is a big day for CCST and for California,” […]
Berkeley Lab’s Carol Burns Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
Photo of Carol burns with blurred trees in the background
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Deputy Director for Research and Chief Research Officer Dr. Carol Burns has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors by University of California President Michael V. Drake, MD. “Participation on the California Council on Science and Technology is an important public […]
Introducing the 2022 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows
Headshots of the 2022 Fellows in a grid on a blue background
  SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2022 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating its 13th year, the program places PhD level scientists, engineers, and social scientists in Legislative and Executive Branch offices, training them for careers in public policy while helping to equip California’s decision makers with science-savvy staff. These sixteen PhD scientists […]
Report: California’s NASA and DOE Labs Provide Cutting-Edge Solutions Toward Climate, Disaster Resilience
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: [email protected] SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A new impact report released by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) showcases how NASA field centers and Department of Energy national laboratories in California are leveraging their world class technology and expertise to address climate change, sea level rise, wildfire, COVID-19, drought, and other […]
Day One Project: CCST Proposal Recommends Tracking Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke for Biden-Harris Administration
Photo of smoke from Camp Fire
  A new proposal written by experts from the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) and Stanford University provides recommendations to reduce disaster costs through better tracking of wildfire-smoke health impacts. According to the proposal, the United States currently does not have a systematic method to track the health impacts and associated costs of […]
New Report Highlights Stories of COVID-19 Response by CCST’s Partner Institutions
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A new report released by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) highlights some of the ways in which CCST’s Partner Institutions have rapidly pivoted their resources, expertise, and research efforts toward responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. CCST’s Partner Institutions include eleven of California’s world-class educational and research institutions. The report can […]
Five Distinguished Leaders in Science, Engineering, Policy, and Philanthropy Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
Photos of the new Board members with a welcome message on a blue background
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—As part of a major expansion, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is proud to announce the appointment of five new members to the Board of Directors. Distinguished leaders in science, engineering, policy, and philanthropy, these new members bring a diverse set of experiences and expertise to drive CCST’s initiative on […]
Update: Watch the 2021 “CCST Science in Public Service Award” Presentation
Images of the 2021 CCST Science in Public Service Award Recipients
2021 CCST Leadership Awardees. Science in Public Service Award: Given to a public servant with a clear track record of championing science and technology issues and who values efforts to connect science to policy. 2021 recipients: Senator Robert Hertzberg, Assemblymember Chris Holden, and Former CEC Vice Chair Janea Scott. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 2, 2021 […]
CCST Report Assesses the Costs of Wildfire in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has issued the report, “The Costs of Wildfire in California: An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information,” along with an executive summary and one pager. All are available for download at this link: https://ccst.us/reports/the-costs-of-wildfire-in-california-2/. A virtual CCST Expert Briefing for […]
An update from CCST regarding coronavirus (COVID-19)
Message from Executive Director Header Banner
March 18, 2020 | Sacramento, CA Good afternoon, I hope you, your families, friends, and colleagues are doing well in these challenging times. At CCST we are paying close attention to the guidelines and directives coming from our local and State leaders in response to the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 situation. Last week, our Sacramento-based office began […]
PHOTOS: Scenes from CCST Science & Technology Week 2020
S&T Week Reception
CCST’s week-long series of events, this year celebrating ‘Science At Your Service: Achieving California’s Carbon Neutrality Goals,’ began with a reception honoring our Science in Public Service Award recipients and continued with the CCST Science Translators Showcase, the CCST Leadership Roundtable, and two CCST Expert Briefings. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 21, 2020 CCST S&T Week […]
CCST Science Fellows Alumni Publish Career Guide for Science Policy
Science Policy Career Guide
DOWNLOAD THE CAREER GUIDE A Career Guide for Science Policy was developed by CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows alumni, including Sydney Chamberlin, Julianne McCall, and John Thompson. The career guide can be downloaded here. CCST is attending the 2020 AAAS Annual Meeting in Seattle, where we organized two events for attendees in conjunction with […]
MARCH 1st: Applications Due for CCST’s Science & Technology Policy Fellowship in Sacramento
CCST Science Fellows Less than One Month
CCST is seeking PhD scientists and engineers for a year of public service and government leadership training in the California State Legislature AND California State Executive Branch. SACRAMENTO, Calif. The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is accepting applications for the 2021 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Completed applications are due by 11:59 pm PST on March […]
CCST Science Translators Showcase to Connect California Grad Students and Postdocs with Members, Staff
Science Translators Collage Social
This CCST event will feature 16 graduate researchers and postdocs from UC, CSU campuses, LBNL, NASA Ames, and Caltech as part of CCST’s Science & Technology Week, on Wednesday, February 5th. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 5, 2020 The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has invited 16 talented graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to […]
CCST Announces Recipients of “2020 Science in Public Service” Awards, to be recognized at Science & Technology Week Reception
CCST Awards 2020 Bedsworth and Hill
CCST’s week-long series of events, this year celebrating ‘Science At Your Service: Achieving California’s Carbon Neutrality Goals,’ begins with a reception tonight honoring Science in Public Service Award recipients Dr. Louise Bedsworth and Senator Jerry Hill. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 3, 2020 The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established […]
CCST Report Provides Initial Assessment of California’s Potential Orphan Oil and Gas Well Liabilities
CCST Orphan Wells Cover
SACRAMENTO, CA—Responding to a request from the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, now the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), under the California Department of Conservation, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) conducted a study entitled “Orphan Wells in California: An Initial Assessment of the State’s Potential Liabilities to Plug and […]
CCST introduces expanded class of 2020 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows, now placed in the Legislative and Executive Branch
Meet Our 2020 CCST Science Fellows
Interested in becoming a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow? CCST is currently accepting applications for the 2021 class year until March 1st. SACRAMENTO, CA—We are proud to introduce the 2020 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows — a program that trains scientists and engineers for careers in public policy, while helping to equip California’s decision […]
CCST to participate in three sessions at NCSE 2020 conference in Washington DC
CCST at NCSE Web
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) will be participating in two panels and one workshop at the 2020 National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) annual conference January 6–9, in Washington, D.C. The Annual Conference brings together a diverse community of experts for an enriching opportunity to collaborate on exciting projects, share […]
CCST Seeking Expert Nominations for Wildfire Study
CCST Seeking Expert Nominations
CCST has received funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Moore Foundation) to produce a peer-reviewed report on the costs and losses of wildfires in California. The report will identify key questions of interest to decision makers and will conduct a literature review of existing datasets and studies that enumerate costs of wildfire management […]