A staple since COSSA’s earliest days, the biweekly COSSA Washington Update newsletter provides members and the public with comprehensive coverage of policy developments impacting social and behavioral science research.
NCSES Releases Knowledge Base to Improve Understanding of Data
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) in the National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a Knowledge Base, a new user resource on NCSES tools and data. The website provides robust information on how to understand and use NCSES data as well as answers to frequently asked questions and a glossary for commonly used terms. The Knowledge Base is intended to help people navigate NCSES data while simultaneously providing support in an easy and accessible way. This resource comes as NCSES works towards making their data more available for public use. Questions can be sent to ncsesdata@nsf.gov.
Tess deBlanc-Knowles Appointed as Special Assistant to the Director for AI at NSF
On December 12, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the appointment of Tess deBlanc-Knowles as the new Special Assistant to the Director for Artificial Intelligence. Alongside this role, she’ll continue her duties within NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships as Strategic Advisor for Technology Policy and Strategy. As a former OSTP Senior Policy Advisor, deBlanc-Knowles led policy efforts to strengthen the nation’s AI innovation by co-chairing the National AI Research Resource Task Force, oversaw the the National AI Research and Development Strategic Plan: 2023 Update and led the process in crafting the nation’s first strategy to advance privacy-enhancing technologies. Now, as the lead in the…
NSF Unveils First-Ever Accelerating Research Translation Awards to Boost Economic Growth Through Academic Research
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced its first-ever investment in the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) initiative. More than $100 million will be dedicated to 18 teams at academic institutions nationwide to accelerate the pace and scale of translational research aimed to foster economic growth across the nation. The ART program is set to award up to $6 million over four years to each selected institution. These funds will be used to identify and develop academic research with potential for technology transfer, ensure the availability of staff with technology transfer expertise, and support the education and training of entrepreneurial faculty…
NCSES Opens Applications for Two New Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) has announced two new postdoctoral fellowships. These fellowships are designed to support recent doctoral graduates interested in the study of ethical and responsible research. Each program offers one slot for a dedicated and passionate fellow: Applications are due January 24 and can be submitted here.
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…
AAPSS to Host an Upcoming Webinar: “Civic Education in a Time of Democratic Crisis”
On January 16, The American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) will be hosting a webinar titled, “Civic Education in a Time of Democratic Crisis: Charting a new agenda for bipartisan and effective learning in our contentious environment”. AAPSS is a COSSA member institution. The webinar, moderated by William Galston of The Brookings Institution, will highlight research from a multi-disciplinary team of researchers to describe what works in civic education, and it will feature a dialogue on re-orienting teaching and learning toward meaningful civic outcomes. Panelists will discuss how educators can more effectively teach civics and how to best prepare…
Advocacy Day Spotlight: Early Bird Registration is OPEN!
Early bird registration for COSSA’s tenth annual Social Science Advocacy Day is officially OPEN! The event will be taking place April 8-9, 2024 in Washington, DC. Register here. Don’t miss this opportunity to have an impact on funding and policy important to the social science community. “I will come back every year if my university allows,” said a past Social Science Advocacy Day participant. “It’s one of the highlights of my academic career. Makes me think differently about my work and want to get into politics.” Social Science Advocacy Day is open to anyone affiliated with a COSSA member organization or university. Not a member?…
Dr. Rayvon Fouché from Northwestern University Answers “Why Social Science?”
The recent Why Social Science? post comes from Dr. Rayvon Fouché from Northwestern University who writes about how social science can provide valuable history, context, and interpretive perspectives to help inform our societies moving forward. Read on for more.
As Congress Prepares for Holiday Recess, FY24 Budget Remains Uncertain
As the year comes to an end, Congress remains no closer to finding a resolution to the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations process. As previously reported by COSSA, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to extend the appropriations deadline to after the new year. Early last week, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) unveiled a supplemental funding bill that would provide $110.5 billion of economic and humanitarian aid to Israel and Ukraine, Taiwan and Indo-Pacific allies and funding to combat fentanyl trafficking and process migrants crossing the U.S. southern border. The bill was halted…
House Passes Deterrent Act Aimed to Tighten Foreign Financial Contribution Regulations
The House of Representatives recently passed the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. This legislation aims to tighten regulations on foreign financial contributions to American universities and academics. The act reflects growing concerns about foreign influence in American higher education and research sectors. One of the act’s central features is the reduction of the reporting threshold for foreign funding. Previously set at $250,000, the threshold would now be $50,000 for most countries, with a zero threshold for nations deemed as “countries of concern,” including China and Iran. This change aims to increase transparency…
OBSSR Hosts Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival
On December 5, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) held their annual Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival. The festival highlighted various research areas supported by the office and the full agenda can be found here. In her opening remarks, newly appointed OBBSR Director Jane Simoni identified the office’s scientific interests for 2024, including theory-informed research on behavior change and mechanisms of impact, social connection and health, multi-level research, health communication science, and the integration of BSSR into biomedical research (see previous COSSA coverage). The recording of the festival is expected to be published here within…
NSF Announces EducateAI for Nationwide AI Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) launched EducateAI, an initiative aimed at enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) education across the United States. This program targets a broad audience, from K-12 to graduate students and adults seeking formal AI training. The initiative’s core objective is to empower educators and students with essential AI knowledge and skills, fostering an inclusive environment for learning about AI technology. The initiative’s first step involves publishing the EducateAI Dear Colleague Letter, calling for proposals that advance inclusive computing education and integrate innovative AI-focused curricula. Funded by NSF’s CISE and STEM Education directorates, the call for proposals seeks to develop comprehensive…
OSTP Investigates the Costs of Open Access Publishing
On November 22, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published a report exploring the impact for covering the cost of openly publishing federally-funded research. The report outlines multiple challenges endured by federal grantees and intramural researchers, but estimates that in 2021 the cost was roughly $378 million. Congress requested the report through its appropriations legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2023, citing concerns that some open access publishing financing mechanisms, particularly total article processing fees (APCs) and transformative agreements, may “present growing barriers to knowledge generation and sharing.” Congress asked OSTP to estimate how much of the costs of both APCs and transformative agreements…
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.
APA Releases Report on Countering Misinformation
The American Psychological Association (APA) released a comprehensive report addressing the challenges of misinformation, particularly in the realm of health, well-being, and civic life. Providing eight recommendations for a collaborative effort between scientists, policymakers, media professionals, and the public to combat the spread and impact of misinformation: APA is a COSSA governing member. To read the full report, visit here.
Sage Publishing Launches Sage Policy Profiles Tool
Sage Publishing has officially launched their new tool, in partnership with Overton, titled “Sage Policy Profiles“. The tool is free-to-use and enables individual researchers and academics to easily discover how their work is impacting policy. Additional functionalities of the tool include: Sage is a COSSA affiliate member. Learn more about the tool here.
Editor’s Note: Update Returning on January 9
This is our final issue of the COSSA Washington Update for 2023. Late-breaking news and analysis will be shared with members subscribed to our members-only emails. We will resume our ongoing coverage of policy developments affecting the social and behavioral sciences on January 9. The COSSA team wishes all our readers a happy and healthy holiday season.
Analysis of the FY 2024 House Appropriations Bills for Federal Science Agencies
In late October, details of the U.S. House of Representatives’ fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills were made public. Before leaving town for the Thanksgiving break, the House—under the leadership of newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)—took initial steps toward passing the bills. However, despite two days of debate, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS) appropriations bill—the measure that funds the National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, and several other agencies of interest to the science community—did not receive a final vote and consideration was punted until after the holiday. The other bill of interest—the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS)…
Advocacy Day Spotlight: Early Bird Registration Coming Soon
Early bird registration for COSSA’s tenth annual Social Science Advocacy Day will be opening soon! The event will be taking place April 8-9, 2024 in Washington, DC. Be sure to save the date, share with your colleagues, and keep an eye on your inbox for the latest details. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor of Social Science Advocacy Day, learn more here. Visit the COSSA website for the latest information on Social Science Advocacy Day.
NSF Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
On November 14, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The agreement is intended to foster a collaborative research partnership between the United States and Canada on various subjects including artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, climate change, and more, through building on current projects and developing new opportunities. Some of these current projects include the NSF-led Global Centers, the NSERC-NSF AI/Quantum Lead Agency Opportunity, and the Canadian-led New Frontiers in Research Fund. Stay tuned to COSSA for continued coverage.