Issue 15 (August 30)

On August 25, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced new requirements on federal agencies to make peer-reviewed publications resulting from federal funding freely available to the public immediately following publication. Citing longstanding concerns around inequitable access to “the full benefits of scientific research” as well as recent success in the sharing of COVID-19 research and data, the memorandum directs federal agencies to eliminate the optional 12-month publication embargo period for federally funded peer reviewed research articles and to make data associated with peer reviewed research articles immediately available upon publication.

Specifically, federal agencies are expected to:

1. Update public access policies as soon as possible and no later than December 31, 2025 to allow for free public release of publications and supporting data resulting from federally funded research.
2. Establish transparent procedures to ensure scientific and research integrity is maintained in publica access policies.
3. Coordinate with OSTP to ensure equitable delivery of federally funded research results and data.

The OSTP guidance provides a framework for managing this transition; however, many of the specifics will be left to the affected federal agencies to develop in coordination with the reconstituted National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Open Science (SOS).

COSSA will continue to following this issue as it develops.

The Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) is soliciting nominations to fill one (1) at-large director seat on the COSSA Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term. For this year’s cycle, COSSA is specifically interested in nominations that would (1) enhance racial/ethnic diversity and representation on the Board, and (2) represent sectors or communities that would bring new perspectives and opportunities to COSSA, such as philanthropy, industry, or other sectors.

The COSSA Board serves as the governing body of the organization and is responsible for setting policy and providing guidance and oversight for COSSA’s strategic directions. The Board of Directors is currently comprised of 18 members: 15 representing COSSA’s Governing Member Associations and 3 at-large directors. At-large seats are intended to bring to the table diverse perspectives and voices that may not necessarily be represented through COSSA’s association members.

At-large directors serve three-year staggered terms. The term for the open seat runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The COSSA Board of Directors meets quarterly, either virtually or in Washington, DC for one day (phone and video participation is allowed). In addition, each Board member is asked to serve on one of COSSA’s standing committees, which each meet separately 1-3 times during the year.

Please submit your nomination to Wendy Naus at wnaus@cossa.org by no later than Wednesday, September 7. Include the following information with the nomination:

• Cover letter that highlights the candidate’s expertise and how their appointment would enhance racial/ethnic representation on the Board and/or represent a sector or community that would provide new perspectives and opportunities to COSSA. 
• CV or resume (10-page limit).

Self-nominations are welcome. Thank you for your consideration and, as always, thank you for your support of COSSA!

This month’s Why Social Science Post comes from The Conversation, where Monica L. McDermott and David R. Jones examine how and why the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed now after three decades of unsuccessful attempts to pass gun reform legislation. Read it here and subscribe.

This month’s Why Social Science Post comes from The Conversation, where Monica L. McDermott and David R. Jones examine how and why the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed now after three decades of unsuccessful attempts to pass gun reform legislation. Read it here and subscribe.

In late July, the Senate Appropriations Committee released drafts of its fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills. As previously reported, the House introduced its bills in June and passed half of them in July. While the Senate Appropriations Committee is not planning to take up the bills individually through the regular committee process, the release of its bills allows House and Senate appropriators to begin talks and, hopefully, work toward an agreement on final FY 2023 spending in the fall.

Across many of the accounts, the Senate bills seek sizable increases for federal science agencies and programs, in many cases, exceeding the amounts proposed by the House, as illustrated below. 

Now that Congress is returning from summer recess, lawmakers will begin to hash out their differences across the 12 appropriations bills. As has become custom, though, enactment of a continuing resolution (CR) will likely be needed to keep the government from shutting down on October 1 when the new fiscal year begins. With the midterm elections looming this November, it is not likely the FY 2023 appropriations bills will be finalized until later this year. The timeline of an agreement largely hinges on the outcome of the elections and which party will hold the majorities next year.

This analysis includes details on the Senate’s draft FY 2023 funding bills for federal agencies and programs important to the social and behavioral science research community. The analysis is organized by appropriation bill. Read on for full details.

As previously reported, Congress passed sweeping innovation legislation in late July that promises to make major new investments in the U.S. scientific enterprise and bolster American leadership in cutting-edge research and technology. The Chips and Science Act of 2022 was signed into law by President Biden on August 9 in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House that included Members of Congress, heads of federal science agencies, technology industry CEOs, and representatives of the scientific community. COSSA Executive Director Wendy Naus had the honor of attending the signing on behalf of the social and behavioral science community.

On August 19, COSSA released an analysis of the CHIPS and Science Act discussing the winding road to enactment and the provisions that are of importance to the social and behavioral science research community. COSSA also produced a detailed section-by-section of the bill.

As its name suggests, the new law is heavily focused on providing incentives to American companies to enhance domestic research, development, and production of semiconductors to allow the U.S. to regain its leadership in this critical technology area. In total, the law will infuse $52.7 billion into American semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development. This includes a dedicated $13.2 billion in R&D and workforce development to help create the high-tech American workforce of the future.

In addition, though, the Chips and Science Act contains other provisions aimed at strengthening the broader U.S. research and science enterprise, including the social and behavioral sciences. Provisions related to strengthening federal science agencies (including the National Science Foundation, among other agencies), broadening participation in science, supporting early career researchers, tightening research security, and combatting sexual harassment in science seek to address longstanding issues confronting the scientific community and provide for new, innovative ways to bolster American innovation and STEM workforce development.

On August 28, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a Request for Information to help develop a Federal Evidence Agenda on LBGTQI+ Equity. This request addresses the June 2022 executive order, “Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals” (E.O. 14075), which tasked a new subcommittee on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (SOGI) within the Interagency Working Group on Equitable Data that will take the lead on developing and agenda to support data collection and aid in informing policy decisions to improve equity for the LGBTQI+ community (see previous coverage).

The RFI poses several questions regarding Federal data collections as well as privacy, security, and civil rights. For example, OSTP is seeking to better understand disparities faced by the LGBTQI+ community, learning what barriers and risks that limit LGBTQI+ participation in Federal surveys and/or administrative data collections, ways of improving participation, and how best to protect privacy while advancing civil rights for LGBTQI+ populations.

Stakeholder feedback will be accepted through October 3. More information is available in the Federal Register.

The Census Bureau is requesting comments from stakeholders and the public regarding the Design Selection Phase dedicated to improving census records in anticipation of the 2030 Census. The Census Bureau anticipates multiple challenges in collecting efficient and accurate data, citing dynamic changes in the workforce and households, and technology advancements as possible barriers. The Census Bureau is seeking to receive feedback on the following:

1. How the Census Bureau can better motivate communities, especially those who are underrepresented, to participate in the 2030 Census.
2. In what ways the Bureau can make the 2030 Census more user-friendly using technology.
3. Whether there are other data sources the Census could be using.
4. How the Bureau can better contact individuals to take the 2030 Census and what tools and messages would be best received to motivate households to complete the Census.
5. What support services the Bureau can offer to individuals when completing the Census.

For more information on the specific questions being asked, please refer to the notice. Comments are due by November 15, 2022.

The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently released a report on diversity in clinical trials and research. The consensus study report, Improving Diversity Across the Clinical Trial and Research Ecosystem examined data from various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, and found, generally, a significant lack of data on diversity on clinical trials. The report cites the lack of standardization of demographic data collection across organizations as a barrier to accessing this type of information. 

The report details the current atmosphere around clinical trials and research, and the lack of diversity within them, which can lead to dangerous generalizations, high failure rates, and lack of equitable access to medical care. It identified several barriers that prevent minorities and underrepresented communities from participating in clinical trials and research, citing that institutional and economic barriers, including research and industry funding, contribute significantly.

The report contains 17 recommendations, including that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) develop a subcommittee dedicated to improving accessibility and transparency of this data. Further, this subcommittee should produce annual reports on diversity in clinical trials and research for Congress.

The report further recommends creating Federal incentives for clinical trials and research and guidelines on fair compensation to reduce economic barriers and encourages development of a diverse workforce in the clinical trials and research.

The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), a COSSA Governing member, is seeking candidates for its next Director for Policy. Among the responsibilities of this position are communicating policy-relevant scientific evidence to policymakers and policy developments to SRCD members, and administering the SRCD Policy Fellowship Programs. Details are available on the SRCD website.

The Linguistic Society of America (LSA), a COSSA founding member, is searching for its next Membership Director to serve as the “primary membership liaison, charged with retaining and increasing LSA’s membership and ensuring the delivery of membership benefits and services.” Applications are due September 19. Details are available on the LSA website.

The American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) has announced the opening of nominations for the 2023 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize in Social Science and Public Policy. The Moynihan Prize is an annual honor created to recognize social scientists, public officials, and civic leaders who champion the use of informed judgment to advance the public good. The winner is recognized at a public event to be held in 2023 and receives a $20,000 cash prize. Nominations will be accepted through October 26, 2022 and may be submitted on the AAPSS website.