CCST Announces Senator Nancy Skinner as Inaugural Recipient of "Science in Policy Mentorship Award"

The success of the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program owes much to the mentorship that fellows receive from their Legislative Member mentors. In February, CCST recognized one such legislator who has made an enduring impact on the fellowship program.

CCST announced the inaugural recipients of its CCST Leadership Awards (#CCSTAwards) on February 21, 2018 (see full press release). California State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) accepted the CCST Science in Policy Mentorship Award, given to a current or former Legislative Member whose participation and guidance have contributed deeply to the CCST Science Fellows program.

“California state legislators have a long history of incorporating scientific advice into their decision-making process, because they understand that California’s policies are stronger with science,” says CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, PhD. “It’s time that we celebrated our state’s vanguard position in evidence-based policymaking and science-informed leadership. CCST is proud to call attention to our four honorable awardees — whose consideration of science and technology have made a difference in the Golden State.”

Over the course of her Assembly career, Senator Skinner mentored CCST Science Fellows on four occasions — and all four Science Fellows have gone on to successful careers in public policy, including one current Chief-of-Staff and one current Committee Consultant.

“Successful future leaders arise from dedicated mentors today, and this is particularly true for our CCST Science Fellows program, where PhD scientists and engineers take a bold leap from academia to train and serve in the dynamic world of California policymaking,” says Mace. “The lessons our CCST Science Fellows learned while with her office have made a lasting impact on their individual paths in policy and public service, and for that, we are most grateful to have Senator Skinner accept our 2018 Science in Policy Mentorship Award.”

The three other award categories and their recipients are:

CCST Science in Public Service Award
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla

CCST Frontiers in Technology Policy Award
California State Assemblymember Jay Obernolte

CCST Emerging Science Champion Award
California State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin

The awardees were recognized during the CCST Science & Technology Week Reception and Leadership Awards Ceremony on February 21, 2018 in Sacramento. Senator Skinner had a prior scheduling commitment, but received the award at her office in person ahead of the ceremony.

CCST Science & Technology Week revived a tradition last celebrated in 1999 by the California State Assembly and in 2000 by the California State Senate. The 2018 CCST S&T Week coincides with the 30th anniversary of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162 (Farr, Garamendi) in 1988 — which called for the creation of the California Council on Science and Technology to “respond appropriately to the Governor, the Legislature, and other relevant entities on public policy issues significantly related to science and technology.”

The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. CCST engages leading experts in science and technology to advise state policymakers ― ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation. Find CCST on Facebook at facebook.com/ccstorg, on Twitter @CCSTorg, and on LinkedIn. Discover how CCST makes California’s policies stronger with science at www.ccst.us.

Celebrate science at your service during the 2018 CCST Science & Technology Week! From February 20th through 23rd, CCST hosted a series of Capitol community events showcasing how science helps inform policies impacting California’s economy, society, and environment. CCST was created by California state leaders to advise California state leaders — come learn what we can do for you. See event moments on Twitter by searching #CCSTWeek#CCSTShowcase #CCSTAwards #CCST30th