From Data to Policy: An Undergraduate Program in Research and Communication

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2012

Publication Source

Journal of College Science Teaching

Volume Number

42

Issue Number

2

First Page

44

Last Page

49

Publisher

National Science Teachers Association

ISSN

0047231X

Abstract

To bridge the gap between science and policy, future scientists should receive training that incorporates policy implications into the design, analysis, and communication of research. We present a student Science and Policy course for undergraduate science majors piloted at the University of California, Berkeley in the summer of 2011. During this program, pairs of students undertake research projects while receiving instruction in both research methods and science translation. In addition to completing short-term research projects, the students produce materials designed to communicate their results to decision makers and the public. This article provides a detailed description of this course's organization and structure and a preliminary evaluation. Suggestions for others interested in designing (and conducting educational research on) a similar interdisciplinary program are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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