From Expertise to Impact: A Practical Guide to Informing And Influencing Science and Technology Policy

From Expertise to Impact is an essential guide for scientists, engineers, and health professionals aspiring to make significant societal contributions by using their scientific and technical knowledge to inform and influence policymakers. Based on her real-world experiences at Congress and the White House, Dr. Deborah D. Stine demystifies the journey, bridging the gap between research, analysis, and public policy. She provides a roadmap for navigating the complex intersection of science, technology, and society, offering practical tools, strategies, and examples. This book is not just a read; it’s an action plan for those ready to use their knowledge to address today’s pressing societal challenges.

Dr. Stine’s academic background in engineering and public policy analysis provides the basis for a ten-step process designed to guide scientists, engineers, and health professionals in using their expertise to inform and influence science and technology policy. This comprehensive approach begins with identifying and describing a societal problem, developing a focused policy question, and identifying the status quo and policy options beyond it. The heart of the analysis involves evaluating these options through the lens of the 4Es:

• Effectiveness: The degree to which a societal goal is likely to be reached.
• Efficiency: The cost of implementing the policy relative to its effectiveness.
• Equity: The fairness of the policy.
• Ease of political acceptability: The degree to which the policy is opposed or supported by key stakeholders.

Empowered by this analysis, readers learn how to synthesize their results, decide on the optimal policy options based on that analysis, and then communicate the actionable, evidence-based results to policymakers-bridging the gap between scientific and technical insight and impactful policy decisions.