• Rethinking Science, Policy: The Series

    How do we know what science is “the right science” to do? How can we effectively orient the vast research enterprise to make real progress toward societal goals?
    The goal of this seminar series is to help science policy “grow up, and quickly,” by catalyzing discussions and collaborations between science policy researchers and decision makers about new ideas and approaches for improving the social value of science and technology.
    Seminars are free and held at the ASU Washington Center, 1800 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 from 8:30am–10:30am (breakfast provided). Presentation starts promptly at 9:00am. Seating is limited

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  • Highlighting public voices in CDR decision making

    The If, the How and the Whether of Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies

    CSPO; the Museum of Science, Boston; the University of Calgary; and other ECAST project partners join forces with diverse experts and everyday citizens to inform decision making on carbon dioxide removal technology.

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  • How Would You Defend the Planet From Asteroids?

    When NASA collaborated with social scientists to engage the public in two-way conversations about the agency’s Asteroid Initiative, the outcome surprised everyone.

    In a pioneering approach to public engagement, NASA and a group of social scientists brought citizens together to weigh in on how the taxpayer-funded agency might approach some technical decisions involving asteroids. How citizens came to engage with strategies for planetary defense—and the unexpected conclusions they reached—was the result of successfully navigating different institutional cultures, extensive preparation, scrambling to meet deadlines, and more than a little serendipity.

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  • Public Value Evidence for Public Value Outcomes

    Integrating Public Values into Federal Policymaking

    In a policy memo for the Day One Project, Michelle Govani, Nicholas Weller, and CSPO associate director Mahmud Farooque lay out a plan of action for the federal government to broaden institutional capacity to collect and integrate evidence on public values into policy and decision making.

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  • A Prehistory of Social Media

    The grassroots origins of the social internet

    Kevin Driscoll’s essay in Issues in Science & Technology tells the story of early online communities and reveals the social and technical origins of today’s social media. The history offers insights on how we might build healthier online communities that are more just, equitable, and inclusive.

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  • Protecting the Integrity of Government Science

    The need for a federal scientific integrity framework

    In her new essay for Issues in Science & Technology, Elizabeth Southerland builds a strong case for why enshrining scientific integrity policies into law is the best way to ensure that federal decision making is based on rigorous and independent research.

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The Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes

Is an intellectual network aimed at enhancing the contribution of science and technology to society’s pursuit of equality, justice, freedom, and overall quality of life. CSPO creates knowledge and methods, cultivates public discourse, and fosters policies to help decision makers and institutions grapple with the immense power and importance of science and technology as society charts a course for the future.

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CSPO Events

Recent Newsletter

Fall 2019

Geoengineering, driverless cars, and much more!

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Blog: As We Now Think

Between Data and Feelings

We tried ‘smart’ the last time and are now trying ‘dumb’ – both in the name of saving the Republic. The last one didn’t solve the feeling problem, and it’s doubtful this one would.

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Fake News and Disinformation

Fake news and disinformation in the digital sphere have been trending topics for years, but what do we really know about the public’s relationship to these issues? In partnership with the French organization, Missions Publiques, the Consortium for Science, Policy, & Outcomes (CSPO) recently hosted virtual public deliberations regarding the future of the internet. Participants […]

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Everything You Know About Shark Conservation is Wrong

After watching the cinematic masterpiece Deep Blue Sea, a movie about genetically engineered sharks that go on a rampage, I spent nights terrified of traversing my room’s navy blue carpet in the dark to make it to the bathroom. Many years later, I’m proud to say that I did safely make it to the bathroom […]

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CSPO Highlights