During the past two years, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (PRIS) has faced a series of threats that have undermined its autonomy, credibility, and reputation. Read more >
UCS's Latest Posts
The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics Continues to Weaken
Carlos M. De Leon-Rodriguez
March 18, 2019 3:50 PM EDT
The Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG): Engaging early career researchers in science policy
Adriana Bankston and Shalin R. Jyotishi
February 13, 2019 3:22 PM EDT
The Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) was established nearly ten years ago by a small cadre of students and science policy leaders who sought to create an open access, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed platform for early career researchers (ECRs) of all disciplines to publish well-developed policy assessments addressing the widest range of science, technology and innovation policy topics worldwide. Today, JSPG is a non-profit organization that has produced 15 volumes addressing a myriad of policy topics including health, the environment, space, energy, technology, STEM education, and defense, as well as science communications and diplomacy. Read more >
People are the Purpose of Science
Mona Hanna-Attisha
February 11, 2019 4:54 PM EDT
Scientists like to talk about what they are “solving for” in their work. In classrooms all over the world, students are told that the purpose of science is “explaining and predicting our world.” Is that enough? Read more >
Photo: Tim Evanson/Flickr
Organizing a Science Policy Workshop: What we learned in Bozeman, Montana
Dr. Emma Kate Loveday and Dr. Racheal Upton
January 22, 2019 9:09 AM EDT
The Bozeman 500 Women Scientists pod held a science policy workshop in February 2018 for 30 female scientists from all career stages, undergraduate to professor and government-based scientists. Sound intimidating? Here’s how we got there.
A Failure of US Biosecurity: How Federal Regulators Helped a Japanese Beetle Cross the Border
Christy Leppanen, Ph.D.
January 14, 2019 4:28 PM EDT
With a partial government shutdown now in its 3rd week, many Americans are learning the hard way about the wide range of functions their federal government normally serves. One of those little-known functions is preventing the spread of invasive plants, insects, and other species that threaten native ecosystems and valuable natural resources, costing the United States an estimated $120 billion every year. Just last week, the shutdown forced conference organizers at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to cancel an annual meeting of 300 scientists working to coordinate research and find solutions. Even before the shutdown, however, USDA regulators had failed to fully live up to their obligations—designated by law—to protect US resources from invasive species.