July 24, 2007

The National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, the National Association of Academies of Science, and the California Council on Science and Technology co-sponsored a convocation on science and technology policy at the state level.

The convocation, State S&T Policy Advice: Issues, Assets, and Opportunities, was held at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center, Irvine, CA on October 15-16, 2007.

This convocation was designed to bring together state policy makers with the many sources of science and technology advice including those at universities, in industry and federal laboratories, and through various national and state scientific organizations. Participants explored the issues that have complicated information flow and established a vision for building a network and action plan to improve state S&T policy advice.

State decision makers heard from S&T policy providers about:

• The value of S&T advice for decision-making
• The various sources and models of information
• Ways to identify and mobilize a state's S&T assets

• Time and other constraints on policymakers
• Their wish list on how scientific information can best be presented and distributed

Envisioned as an ongoing series, this first convocation focused on the topics of energy, environment, and economic opportunity. It was followed by the October CCST Council meeting, which took place on October 16 and 17.