Science Policy Curriculum FAQ

Why is APP developing science policy curriculum?

Earth system science is a field where policy, societal, & economic aspects are becoming increasingly important as our society becomes more dependent on activities and technologies that affect and are affected by the Earth system. It is important that present and future scientists are prepared to fully participate in the challenging opportunities that lie ahead, including communicating to policy makers, making public policy decisions, & communicating science to the public. One way of providing a better foundation is to integrate policy and science at universities. Therefore, the AMS Policy Program (APP) is developing materials for science policy curricula. In providing policy education activities and promoting policy research, the APP hopes to encourage more people to enter the field of science policy, contribute to and enhance the current policy dialogue, and create a clearinghouse for science policy case studies.

Is there a need for this?

Offering science policy courses to science students has been a major challenge at many universities for various reasons: barriers inhibiting interdisciplinary coursework, competing degree requirements, and the lack of resources for professors. The APP material will make it easier for science faculty to integrate policy material into current courses. As a result, future scientists will be more familiar with and better equipped to handle immediate and future policy issues and assist in making public policy decisions.

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Our plan is to:

• Develop materials (case studies, readings, analysis, syllabus, handouts, etc.)
• Develop and implement pilot course
• Continue developing/enhancing materials and then offer for application to a course, seminar, or independent study
• Expand materials to include topics in broader disciplines of Earth system science
• Maintain a clearinghouse of science policy case studies and other materials

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How YOU can teach a science policy course in your department

• Use current and past syllabi as a starting point
• Work with AMS Policy Program in devising an outline that makes sense for your program

• Use case studies developed by AMS Policy Program and others

• Integrate material within a course/seminar, share responsibilities with other faculty in your department

• Bring in guest speakers (use state congressional and government speakers, pay travel costs for federal speakers, talk to your university government relations office and public policy school, etc.)

• Use your own experiences with government, proposal writing, congressional contacts, etc.

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How you can learn more about science policy:

At your university

• Take a class in political science, public policy, or philosophy/history of science
• Encourage your department to include policy-relevant talks in their departmental seminars
• Encourage your department to offer a policy or policy-relevant course
• Talk to your professor about doing an independent study
• Talk with your government relations office

Scientific societies

• Join scientific societies with a science policy interest like AAAS, AGU, AMS, etc. In particular, membership at AAAS gives you a subscription to Science magazine that has policy articles.
• Sign up for email legislative alerts (AGU, AIP, etc.)
• Participate in congressional visits day (AGU, etc.)
• Apply for the congressional science fellowships (AAAS, AMS, AGU, etc.)
• Ask staff in the public policy, congressional, or public affairs offices how you can be more involved

Other

• Read literature on science policy
• Attend science policy conferences (AMS summer policy colloquium, AAAS, etc.)
• Meet with staffers from your congressional district
• Volunteer with a political campaign
• Internships & fellowships (federal government, National Research Council, think tanks, etc.)

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Recommended Policy Books

Baumgartner, Frank R. and Bryan D. Jones, 1993: Agendas and Instabilities in American Politics, Univ of Chicago Press.

Baumgartner, Frank R. and Beth L. Leech, 1998: Basic Interests: the Importance of Groups in Politics and in Political Science, Princeton Univ Press.

Barrett, Scott, 2003: Environment & Statecraft, Oxford University Press.

Bush, Vannevar, 1945: Science the Endless Frontier, Office of Scientific Research and Development, U.S. Government Printing Office, available online at http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/nsf50/vbush1945.htm

Dupree, A. Hunter, 1986: Science in the Federal Government: A History of Policies and Activities, The John Hopkins University Press.

Greenberg, Daniel, S., 2001: Science, Money, and Politics: Political Triumph and Ethical Erosion, University Chicago Press.

House Science Committee, 1998: Unlocking Our Future: Toward a New National Science Policy,  A Report to Congress by the House Committee on Science, available online at www.house.gov/science/science_policy_study.htm

Kaul, I., I. Grunberg, and M. Stern, 1999: Global Public Goods: International Cooperation in the 21st century, Oxford University Press.

Kingdon, John A., Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies, Second Edition, Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, 1995.

The National Research Council, 1995: On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research, National Academy Press, http://books.nap.edu/books/
0309051967/html/index.html

The National Research Council, 2003: Fair Weather: Effective Partnership in Weather and Climate Services, National Academies Press.

The National Academies, Issues in Science and Technology, http://www.issues.org/

National Science Board, 2004: Science and Engineering Indicators 2004: National Science Foundation, NSB-04-01, 2004, available online at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind04/start.htm.

Neal, H.A., T. Smith, J. McCormick, 2008: Beyond Sputnik: U.S. Science Policy in the Twenty-First Centruy, University of Michigan Press.

Pielke Jr., R.A., 2007: The Honest Broker: Making Sense of Science in Policy and Politics, Cambridge University Press.

Rischard, J.F., 2002: High Noon, 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them, Basic Books.

Sarewitz, Daniel, 1996: Frontiers of Illusion: Science, Technology, and Politics of Progress, Temple University Press.

Smith, Bruce C.R., 1990: American Science Policy Since World War II, Brookings Institution Press.

Speth, James Gustave, 2004:  Red Sky at Morning: America and the crises of the global environment, Yale University Press.

Stokes, Donald E., 1997: Pasteur’s Quadrant: Basic science and technological innovation, Brookings Institution Press.

Wells Jr., William G., 1996: Working with Congress: A Practical Guide for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd ed, AAAS.

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