STEP at Virginia Tech

STEP FOCUS: INTEGRATING SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION INTO POLICY

Scientific and technical information is most influential in policy processes when it is salient, credible and legitimate. In addition to techniques such as joint fact-finding, the STEP program develops skills in building models and providing data analysis that decision-makers and other stakeholders will use to arrive at better outcomes. The program provides participants with tools to understand how their data may be used in policy processes, and conduct research in ways that are likely to increase the saliency, credibility, and legitimacy of the results.

STEP learning objective: Map relationships between scientific and technical information and public policy.

STEP learning objective: Compare and contrast policy standards and norms with scientific and technical norms and practices.

“Gaining policy exposure during my graduate education has improved my ability to relate my research to society, conduct research that informs policy decisions, and understand the different roles scientists can play in the policy process.”

Nicole Ward PhD Candidate, VT Department of Biological Sciences