Representing science: diversity on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

Date
2024
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Oxford University Press
Abstract

Federal advisory committees related to science and technology are important mechanisms for connecting policy-makers with independent experts and the broader public. The balance of represented expertise and viewpoints shapes a committee’s intended advisory role, consensus building processes, and the quality and impact of its policy recommendations. This paper presents the first historical analysis of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and examines its changing balance of social and p rofessional perspectives from 1990 to 2023. We demonstrate that PCAST’s balance has shifted to be more inclusive of different social groups and professional backgrounds over time, particularly under President Biden. We conclude with recommendations for future WhiteHouse science policy advisory bodies to ensure they are adequately representative of the diversity of perspectives in the US research enterprise and the overall US population.

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Evans, K. M., & Matthews, K. R. W. (2024). Representing science: Diversity on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Science and Public Policy, scae030. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scae030

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