THE Bridge Initiative for Science and Technology Policy, Leadership and Communications received a $100,000 State Science Policy Fellowship Planning Grant from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The award, supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, will fund a fellowship program that aims to provide rigorous, nonpartisan science and technology policy research and analysis to members of the West Virginia Legislature starting in January.
“Science and technology are at the heart of today’s increasingly complex public policy challenges,” said Joan Centrella, director of Bridge Initiative. “This NCSL award Center for Results-Based Governance will provide West Virginia state legislators with “on-demand” access to science and technology resources, which are important components of the policymaking process.
Two full-time STPF fellows will be selected from candidates hold a doctorate or other advanced degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
In response to requests from West Virginia state legislators, fellows will write science and technology briefs beginning at the start of the January legislative session. These evidence-based notes will provide an overview of the topic from a scientific and technical perspective, explaining the subject without jargon, with a focus on West Virginia’s needs and potential.
Fellows writing these one-page notes will present current policies, opportunities and challenges. They will also analyze other states’ policies responding to similar challenges or opportunities. West Virginia lawmakers can then incorporate this analysis into their decision-making as they see fit. The science and technology briefs will not make policy recommendations.
Illustrative policy topics that will be covered in these briefs include health, economic development, energy, education, workforce, environment, and transportation. Find sample notes.
“This S&T scholarship program is a great opportunity for West Virginia,” Centrella said. “We look forward to working with legislators and partners to serve our state.” »
