Science, Technology and Engineering Policy (STEP) Group

Many of our most pressing public policy issues have a strong science and technology component, such as developing clean sources of energy to reduce dependence on foreign oil and using information technology to reduce medical errors and administrative costs in our healthcare system. However, elected officials often lack the technical expertise to make informed decisions on these issues and scientists and engineers rarely engage in the political process. The STEP group seeks to provide scientists with training to communicate effectively with a policy audience and understand the decision-making process in political institutions. STEP works toward this goal through three key activities: an annual White Paper Competition, a monthly Seminar Series and a Science-Policy Journal Club.

The annual STEP White Paper Competition—our flagship program—invites students from local universities to submit papers exploring the interplay between an emergent or existing technology and pressing regional, national or global policy needs. In 2008 four finalists—with topics ranging from coal-to-liquid technology to privacy concerns in personal genomics—were selected to present their ideas at a symposium at UC Berkeley. A panel of faculty judges evaluated the scientific validity, political analysis and effectiveness of their proposals, and winners were awarded cash prizes. STEP also awards travel grants for students to meet with policy makers and discuss their ideas. This program helps train the next generation of science-policy leaders by providing students with an opportunity to develop and present innovative proposals at the intersection of science, technology and policy.

The STEP Seminar Series provides a forum for dialog among students and experts on science-policy issues. This past year, speakers included Ken Dill (Professor of Biophysics, UCSF), who discussed an initiative called "Bridging the Sciences", which is aimed at securing new research funding across disciplines to support new programs for deep innovation. STEP also organized a science-policy career panel. We invited two young scientists—Colin McCormick, Former Staff Member on the House Science Committee and Audrey Lee, Economist for the Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Dept of Energy. This coming year invited speakers include: Jane C.S. Long (Principal Associate Director at Large, LLNL) and Dean Wilkening (Science Program Director, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford.

The STEP group’s new monthly Journal Club meets to discuss current science policy issues highlighted in journals and in the media. Students present an article in the science-policy literature and lead a discussion on the arguments raised by the authors. During our first three meetings in 2008, we discussed a range of science policy topics: U.S. Energy Policy, nuclear weapons development in Iran and the U.S. Space Program. The goal of this journal club is to help students interested in science policy learn about the range of issues discussed in the field and familiarize themselves with the literature. It is also excellent practice in a number of interdisciplinary skills: participating in a technically oriented policy debate; integrating ethical, political, and scientific needs; and thinking about the need for science for broader humanitarian needs.

Project mission:

Create better technology policy through collaborations between scientists, technologists and policy-makers.

Required resources:

1. Total project needs: $13,000
2. Other:

   Financial needs:

   Funds to provide cash prizes and travel grants for the STEP White Paper competition. We currently need $6,000 to fund the 2009 competition.

   Support for the STEP Seminar Series and Journal Club. (Such funds would cover room rental fees, refreshments, AV costs and travel expenses for invited speakers.)

   Past donations:
   Anonymous - 5,000
   Anonymous - 10,000

Project page URL:

• http://step.berkeley.edu