The Center for Science, Technology & Public Policy

explores the increasingly important role that science and technology plays in our society and examines its implications for public policy at the international, national and state levels.

Faculty and the Center offer a number of courses in Science, Technology & Environmental Policy and also conduct research workshops, seminars, roundtables and symposia to inform local and national decision-making.

The Center has focused its research and outreach activities primarily on issues relating to energy, the environment and climate change. We have also published research on issues relating to biotechnology and nanotechnology. Additional areas of interest include the impact of technology based economic development initiatives on regional economies, telecommunications as well as science and math education policies.

Photo: The center convenes workshops, seminars, roundtables, and symposia to educate and inform local and national decision-making.

News

Assoc. Prof Jennifer Kuzma, chair of the Science Technology and Environment Policy area, gave two presentations in Washington D.C. on May 13th.  She briefed the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis on "Agrifood Nanotechnology:  Upstream Assessment of Risk and Oversight."   Representatives from several government agencies and departments were in attendance.  On the same day, she presented at the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council (NAS-NRC) about her research on technology assessment and oversight for bio- and agrifood- nanotechnology.  Here, she was part of a small working group asked to help plan a NAS-NRC study on this topic.  A paper on her research on emerging technologies and oversight just came out in the peer-reviewed journal "Science and Public Policy" in March,  and three more will be coming out later this summer and fall, two in the journal "Risk Analysis" and one in the journal "Nanoethics".

The Center is proud to announce that Assistant Professor Elizabeth Wilson has been named a 2008 recipient of the University of Minnesota’s McKnight Land-Grant Professorship. Established in 1987, this prestigious research award aims to nurture the careers of the University’s most promising junior faculty members. The professorship includes significant research funding, which Wilson will use to advance her research related to climate change and energy needs within a carbon managed world.  Congratulations Elizabeth!

For more information on classes offered by Professor Wilson, view her faculty profile.

"Scientific discoveries can have epic consequences. It's only prudent that society engage in analysis, debate, and public education before adopting the fruits of the laboratory."

~ Charles M. Denny Jr., center supporter and
former CEO of ADC Telecommunications