NASEM
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 of 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 McNutt’s 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: “K-12 Education” by Alexandra Fuentes; “Addressing Red Tape” by Matt Owens; “Bidirectional Collaboration” by James Manyika; “Cultivating Trust” by J. Marshall Shepherd; and “Learning to Listen” by Stephanie Diem. In McNutt’s State of Science address, encouraging innate childhood curiosity was linked to strengthening…
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 NASEM’s 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 Medicine’s 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 AI’s potential benefits and harms. The panelists focused on AI as a tool to enhance human capabilities, the context in which AI…
Currently Listening: The Nation’s Data at Risk, with Connie Citro
In a new episode of the 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, “The Nation’s Data at Risk,” 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. Listen here.
NASEM Calls for Experts for AI and Climate Change Roundtable
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has released a call for experts for their new roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Climate Change that is intended to explore the intersection of these two topical issues. Particularly, NASEM is interested in experts in mathematics and statistics, human-centered AI, risk assessment and management, environment and public health, misinformation and disinformation, and more. A full list of topics can be found here. The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) is one of the collaborators working with the Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences on this roundtable and social and behavioral…
Call for Applications: NASEM’s Mirzayan Fellowship
The application window for the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is now open. This 12-week fellowship is intended for current or recent graduate students to gain a broader understanding of science and technology policy as well as to explore possible career prospects that engage science and policy communities. The newest session will run from March 3, 2025 to May 23, 2025. More information on how to apply is available here and the deadline to apply is September 9, 2024. This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Rachel Bashe.
NASEM Seeking Experts for Consensus Study on Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate
The Board on Science Education (BOSE) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking nominations for experts to appoint to an ad hoc committee for the development of the new Consensus Study on Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate. NASEM has developed this new ad hoc committee in response to rising global climate change and an interest in understanding human decision-making in the face of this changing climate. The committee will “examine evidence relating to how education can play a role in helping individuals and communities understand and respond to the impacts of changing climate.” With the use…
NASEM Pioneers the State of Science Address with President Marcia McNutt
On June 26, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted The State of Science Address, launching the annual discussion on the status of science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) in the U.S. During her opening remarks, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Marcia McNutt, discussed the decline of the STEM workforce and interest in research and development (R&D) in the U.S., including declines in published research articles and the development of high-quality drugs and patents compared to global counterparts, as well as the perceived fall of U.S. global leadership, citing that only eight percent of Americans believe the…
DBASSE Hosts First Webinar in 2024 Spring Hauser Webinar Series
On May 23, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) hosted the first of two webinars in their Hauser 2024 Spring Webinar Series titled, “Navigating the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Achieving Human-AI Harmony.” The webinar focused on the 2022 report titled Human-AI Teaming: State of the Art and Research Needs. The panel consisted of a diverse group of researchers from varying universities and organizations focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The panelists discussed changes in AI, including increased communication between real AI and humans, advancements in ethics of human-AI teaming, and ongoing…
Registration is Open for the 17th Matilda White Riley Honors
Registration is officially open for the 17th Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors. The event recognizes both emerging scientists and leaders in the field whose research reflects Dr. Matilda White Riley’s vision of research excellence in health-related behavioral and social sciences. Matilda White Riley was a celebrated scientist and member of the National Academy of Sciences whose work and leadership left a lasting impact on behavioral and social sciences across the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and beyond. Registration for the event is required and the Distinguished Lecturer will be Dr. Bernice Pescosolido, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Indiana University….
CNSTAT Releases Third Data Infrastructure Report in Series Intended to Modernize Data Collection
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) has released its third and final report in an ongoing series of data infrastructure reports intended to modernize and enhance data collection (previous COSSA coverage). This latest report, Toward a 21st Century National Data Infrastructure: Managing Privacy and Confidentiality Risks with Blended Data, builds off the previous two reports on mobilizing data and blending data from various sources by addressing concerns about mitigating privacy and confidentiality risks within the data infrastructure. The report provides potential policy approaches to protecting data privacy as well as a suggested framework…
Dr. Monica N. Feit from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Answers “Why Social Science?”
The recent Why Social Science? post comes from Dr. Monica N. Feit from the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) who writes about how social science can provide valuable expertise to help inform better health research. Read on for more.
NASEM Seeks Experts for Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking experts to be considered for the Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication. NASEM is looking to fill four open seats on the Standing Committee in addition to collecting information for potential speakers, participants, and other forms of engagement. The Standing Committee is looking for expertise particularly in the following areas: science communication researchers (psychology, cognitive science, anthropology, sociology, political science); science communication practitioners (journalists, think tanks, federal agencies, and nonprofit research organizations); and related professions and disciplines (marketing, health communication/health promotion, risk communication, mass media communications; science education; research design…
CALL FOR EXPERTS: Communications Advisory Group for the National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) announced that they will be appointing a Communications Advisory Group to inform the direction of its communications and engagement activities. The group will be comprised of 15 volunteers to serve 2-year terms, beginning in January 2024. NAM is looking for a mix of experts with a particular interest in the following: Learn more about the group and submit nominations for members by December 15 here.
National Academies Hosting Workshop Encouraging Greater Science Accessibility
On November 30 through December 1, the National Academies of of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will be hosting a public workshop aiming to provide crucial insights and recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This two-day event is set to address topics surrounding scholarly publications and key focus areas of the workshop include promoting equity in publication, enhancing accessibility, addressing publication and increasing transparency of research. The National Academies invites all interested parties to participate and contribute to this vital conversation. For more information and to register,…
NASEM Seeks Experts for the Executive Committee of the Societal Experts Action Network
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) (see previous coverage) is seeking suggestions for experts to participate on their Executive Committee. SEAN is a network of leading individuals and institutions in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences that facilitates rapid responses to actionable questions from federal, state, and local decision makers. The National Academies staff will be looking to fill open seats on the Executive Committee of approximately 12 total volunteer experts with expertise particularly in the following areas: Submit nominations here by November 27. Follow COSSA’s continued coverage on the SEAN initiative.
Dr. Rayvon Fouché Delivers 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture
On October 12, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) featured Dr. Rayvon Fouché, Professor of Communication Studies at Northwestern University, as the 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecturer. The lecture was titled “Embracing the Social in Social Science: Notes for a Technoscientific Future” and addressed contemporary challenges in the scientific community. At the core of the discussion was analyzing the reasons for the reduction of public trust in scientific research, deviations from expert standards, and the feeling that science often excludes or misrepresents certain groups. Fouché’s research underscores this, finding that 80% of university faculty members hail from…