Science Community News
AAAS Accepting Nominations for 2026 Awards & Prizes
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announced that nominations are now open for the following awards and prizes: AAAS also sponsors a wide range of other awards and prizes recognizing scientists, engineers, authors, journalists and public servants for significant contributions to science and the publicās understanding of science. The deadline for all nominations is June 30, 2025 and winners will be announced in early 2026. Learn more on the AAAS website.
COSSA Remembers John Thompson
The social science community mourns the loss of John H. Thompson, who passed away earlier this month. Thompson dedicated nearly 30 years serving in the U.S. Census Bureau, including as Director from 2013 to 2017. After leaving federal service he became Executive Director of the Council of Professional Associations for Federal Statistics. Thompson also served as President of NORC at the University of Chicago (a COSSA member organization). The COSSA community is grateful for Johnās commitment to federal statistics and service to the American people.
National Academy of Sciences Announces 2025 Fellows
COSSA congratulates the 150 newly elected fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, including the social and behavioral scientists from COSSA member institutions: Congratulations and thank you for your contributions to social and behavioral science research!
RESPOND: NASEM Survey on Administrative Burden
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has established a committee on Improving the Regulatory Efficiency and Reducing Administrative Workload to Strengthen Competitiveness and Productivity of U.S. Research. The second meeting on the committee is scheduled for May 21-23. The Committee is tasked with producing a fast-track, brief consensus report that includes options for federal actions to improve regulatory efficiency. To help inform this work, the Committee is seeking responses to a brief survey in which researchers can share their experiences with administrative burden and offer ideas for regulatory report. The survey is available here.
Science is US Report Shows How STEMM Workers Power U.S. Industries
On April 3, Science is US released the Science at Work report, an analysis the STEMM workforceās impact on the U.S. economy. The findings reveal that in 2025, 34.1 percent of the U.S. workforce was engaged with STEMM-related roles, contributing $10.87 trillion ā or 39.2 percent ā of the nationās GDP. The report defines the STEMM workforce broadly, encompassing individuals whose primary job functions involve science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine, regardless of the economic sector they may reside in. Acknowledging gaps in STEMM opportunities, the report highlights the need for coordinated efforts among educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to reinforce STEMMās…
NASEM Requests Nominations for New Members of the Board on Human-Systems Integration
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking new members for the Board on Human-Systems Integration (BOHSI). Through interdisciplinary research, BOHSI provides stakeholders with objective, evidence-based advice concerning relationships between systems of individuals, organizations, and technology. Experts are requested in several areas, including workforce modeling, artificial intelligence, and traditional HSI specialties. The announcement can be found here and the deadline to submit nominees is April 14.
Cross-Sector Leaders Issue Vision for American Science and Technology
On February 25, a task force comprising more than 70 leaders representing science, industry, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector released theĀ Vision for American Science and TechnologyĀ (VAST). A launch event hosted by Axios was held in Washington, DC (video). COSSA Executive Director Wendy Naus served on the VAST task force. The VAST report contains a set of policy recommendations aimed at recalibrating and optimizing the U.S. science and technology (S&T) enterprise with an eye toward enabling American long-term economic prosperity, addressing societal challenges, and maintaining global leadership. The vision identifies three āavenues for action,ā each containing recommendations for policy makers,…
DBASSE to Host Webinar Series on Assessing and Communicating the Quality of National Statistics
The Committee on National Statistics, housed within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), is hosting a three-part series to ādiscuss approaches to characterizing and communicating the quality of national statistics and statistical dataā. As federal statistical agencies work to develop methods to more efficiently release statistical data, the committee will examine ways to communicate federal statistics as well as the quality and recommended uses of federal statistical data with the public as the use of fast response platforms and non-survey data sources grows. The sessions will…
NASEM Requests Nominations for Experts for Study of Quality, Credibility, and Relevance of U.S. Homeland Security Statistics
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking experts for a new consensus study on the Quality, Credibility, and Relevance of U.S. Homeland Security Statistics. These experts will work with the Office for Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS), housed within the Department of Homeland Security, to ensure statistics within the agency align with federal standards, enhancing āthe relevance, credibility, objectivity, and public trust of their statistics to support evidence-based decision makingā. Experts are requested in the following areas: Nominations can be submitted here by January 8.
Currently Reading: CPI’s Census Accuracy Guides
The Center on Poverty and Inequality (CPI) at Georgetown Law released aĀ series of guidesĀ designed for civil rights organizations, advocates, and policymakers. The Census Accuracy series includes: This series is intended to help stakeholders and organizations advocate for necessary research and reforms to ensure every community is accurately counted, promote robust funding for the census by emphasizing the need for accurate data to help ensure fair political representation and equitable resource distribution, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of census inaccuracies. Read the guides here.
CNSF Celebrates Science Committee Chairman Lucasās Service
On October 19, theĀ Coalition for the National Science FundingĀ (CNSF), of which COSSA is a member, celebrated Representative Frank Lucasās (R-OK) service to the scientific community as Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. With remarks from Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Brian Babin (R-TX), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Tom Kean (R-NJ), and other members of Congress, CNSF applauded the bipartisan effort of the Committee under Chairman Lucasās leadership. Image: Representative Frank Lucas at CNSF Celebration (Credit: CNSF X Account)
NASEM Seeking Experts for Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has put out a call for experts to serve on the Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication which seeks to engage all science communities in an equitable and evidence-based way. The Board of Science Education (BOSE) is looking for a diverse group of 4-5 people to serve on the committee with expertise in health/science communications, artificial intelligence (AI), psychology, sociology, and more. The announcement can be found here and the deadline to submit nominees is November 29. This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Paige Kirkham.
COSSA Participating in Development of New Vision for U.S. Science and Technology
Throughout the fall, a task force of more than 60 leaders in science, technology, industry, government, and philanthropy has been meeting to discuss and develop a new Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST). The bipartisan group includes representatives spanning the various sectors that touch the U.S. scientific enterprise. The near-term goal is to develop a draft of the vision that can be shared with the incoming Presidential Administration and Congress in the coming weeks with the final vision slated to be complete by early 2025. COSSA Executive Director Wendy Naus is serving on the Task Force. According to a press release, the…
CNSTAT Releases Eighth Edition of Principles & Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency
The Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has released the eighth edition ofĀ Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency, a report released every four years to coincide with presidential terms. The consensus study report provides an explanation of the federal statistical system and offers guiding principles and best practices for federal statistical agencies. While the practices and principles remain largely the same as past versions (see previous COSSA coverage), the most recent report includes updated information on the changes made to the federal statistical system in the past four years. The…
NASEM Calls for Experts for Study on Disabilities in STEM Workforce
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has put out a call for experts to participate in a study focused on increasing knowledge about barriers, solutions, and policies facing people with disabilities to advance a robust STEM workforce and STEM education workforce. NASEM staff is looking to build a team of approximately 12-16 volunteers whose tasks will include collecting information on potential speakers, participants, and peer reviewers for any publications regarding this study. NASEM is seeking experts in the following areas: disability studies, STEM career development, STEM and STEM education workforce, employment law, disability accommodations for academic and…
NASEM Publishes Follow-Up on State of Science Address
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently published an update to President Marcia McNuttās State of Science address in which they reemphasized her main points from the speech, and brought in guest authors to expand on what is needed to improve the U.S. research enterprise (see previous COSSA coverage). This collection of articles includes: āK-12 Educationā by Alexandra Fuentes; āAddressing Red Tapeā by Matt Owens; āBidirectional Collaborationā by James Manyika; āCultivating Trustā by J. Marshall Shepherd; and āLearning to Listenā by Stephanie Diem. In McNuttās State of Science address, encouraging innate childhood curiosity was linked to strengthening…
Research!America Requesting Proposals for 2024-25 Civic Engagement Microgrants Program
Research!America announced the application period for its Civic Engagement Microgrant Program is now open. The program awards grants of up to $4,000 to graduate student and postdoc-led groups in STEM (including social science) to design projects that create dialogue with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around issues of common concern. These funds provide opportunities for grantees to develop skills in areas such as communication and program planning, along with an understanding of public policy and government to have an impact in their local communities. Applications are due November 4, 2024. More details are available on Research!Americaās website.
NASEM Seeking BECS Board Director
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has initiated a search for a new Board Director for the Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS) which is housed within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE). BECS is NASEMās primary voice for advancing research on the interactions between humans and the environment and provides a vital forum for the link between social and natural sciences. The Director will lead all aspects of the board including maintaining a portfolio of programs, managing and communicating with other staff, planning and directing work on projects, and overseeing outreach…
DBASSE Hosts Second Webinar in 2024 Spring Hauser Webinar Series
On July 25, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicineās Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) hosted the second webinar in their Hauser 2024 Spring Webinar Series titled, The Hauser Policy Impact Fund Webinar Series: Navigating the Era of Artificial Intelligence Part 2: The Role of Social Sciences. This webinar hosted a diverse panel of researchers on the importance of social science research while developing artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of policymakers in understanding AIās potential benefits and harms. The panelists focused on AI as a tool to enhance human capabilities, the context in which AI…
Currently Listening: The Nationās Data at Risk, with Connie Citro
In a new episode of theĀ Cross Tabs podcast, a senior scholar at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Connie Citro discusses the findings from the recent report, āThe Nation’s Data at Risk,ā which assesses the health of federal statistical agencies. Citro explains the historical development of these agencies, their importance in providing reliable data for both public and private sectors, and the potential consequences of underfunding and political interference. The report is a product of the American Statistical Association, a COSSA governing association. ListenĀ here.