Last week, the US Department of Energy released a revised scientific integrity policy in what was likely the last move by the Obama administration to promote scientific integrity in federal decision-making. But we cannot forget the many steps that preceded it. Read more >

Can President Trump Uphold Scientific Integrity in Government Decisionmaking? New Report Tells What’s At Stake
January 17, 2017 10:11 AM EDT

The Department of Energy Just Created a Powerful Tool to Protect its Scientists
January 11, 2017 11:20 AM EDT
It’s harder to create good science, and to follow the evidence where it leads, when your work can be easily corrupted by political meddling. The Department of Energy has significantly expanded protections for its scientific workforce, the majority of which work in America’s great national laboratories, by finalizing a significantly improved scientific integrity policy. Read more >

On Trump and Science: Preparing for the Unknown
November 30, 2016 3:41 PM EDT
I’m a little anxious. And I imagine you are too. Among other things, I’m worried about how President-elect Trump will treat science. We don’t know yet, for example, what he might do at science-based federal agencies. Will he cut public science funding? Will his administration interfere with science-based rulemaking? There have been some concerning developments on these fronts.
But we shouldn’t feel afraid of this uncertainty. If Trump does choose to misuse science, this time the scientific community is ready. Read more >
How Is the USDA Doing on Scientific Integrity?
April 7, 2016 2:23 PM EDT
In March 2013, the US Department of Agriculture updated its scientific integrity policy, a policy mandated by the Obama Administration for all federal agencies with a significant focus on science. Along with 22 other agencies and departments, the USDA developed a policy in 2011 that the Union of Concerned Scientists assessed to “not make adequate commitments to scientific integrity.” How does the revised policy measure up and does it appear to be working? Read more >
No Shutdown For Now, But What Effect Does Budget Uncertainty Have On Government Scientists?
October 6, 2015 1:51 PM EDT
Two years ago this week, Washington, DC was a ghost town. With federal employees furloughed and millions of workdays disrupted, the streets were eerily quiet and Americans were deprived of the Panda Cam. But there were bigger consequences. Read more >