CCST to Talk State-Level Science Advice at NCSL 2017 Legislative Summit in Boston

The California Council on Science and Technology will be attending the National Conference of State Legislatures 2017 Legislative Summit in Boston this August.

CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, PhD, and Program Advisor Doug Brown will be hosting an ancillary meeting on Tuesday, August 8th, for state legislators and staff interested in the concept of recruiting PhD scientists as legislative policy advisors. The informational session will provide an overview of the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, as well as the nine state-based efforts currently underway via the CCST State Fellowships Planning Grant.

No pre-registration necessary. State legislators, legislative staff, and other policy professionals interested in attending the August 8th session can contact Doug Brown ([email protected]) for more information.

Download the session trifold brochure (PDF | 329Kb)

This session was made possible through a grant from the Gordon and Betty More Foundation.

“Science Advice for State Legislators”
National Conference of State Legislatures 2017 Legislative Summit
Tuesday, August 8th, 2017, 8:00-8:45 a.m.
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, Harbor Wing – Lewis Room
http://www.ncsl.org/meetings-training/legislative-summit-17.aspx

When bills with complex science behind them start to pile up on your desk, who do you trust to analyze each proposal for policy implications and fact-check for critical shortcomings?

State legislators are increasingly faced with policy issues that require an understanding of technical information or new scientific knowledge. Yet, few state legislators have a professional background in science, tech, engineering, or medicine. There is a clear need to recruit technically trained advisors to serve personal offices and legislative committees — and provide reliable analyses and recommendations independent of outside lobbies.

Join the California Council on Science and Technology for a discussion on how “science policy fellowships” at the state-level can help bring invaluable science advice capacity to a legislative office. Hear from scientists who have trained and worked as science fellows, and hear from state legislators who have brought scientists onto their staff.

Find the California Council on Science and Technology on Facebook at facebook.com/ccstorg, on Twitter @CCSTorg, and on LinkedIn. Learn more about CCST at www.ccst.us.