At the Intersection of Science and Governance
As the country responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we see many examples of the need to coordinate the activities of the scientists and technologists on the front lines of virus response with those of the public administrators charged with protecting and supporting the public. Government leaders are sharing their success stories — not because they are deeply experienced in epidemiology or medicine, but because they have implemented effective strategies for managing resources and making sound, data-informed decisions.
The National Academy of Public Administration* (the Academy) has, in a number of its recent projects, focused on the intersection of science and technology with management and governance. In August, we submitted our final report to Congress and the Department of Commerce responding to the request to conduct an assessment of which department or agency, and entity is best suited for responsibility for Space Traffic Management (STM). Acknowledging that public and private users of space can productively operate and innovate with an effective governance structure, the report recommended several actions to coordinate federal resources to best support technical and operational requirements and ensure effective Space Situational Awareness and STM. As space is a frontier beyond our national boundaries, this study illustrated the significance of one of our 12 Grand Challenges to Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context. Addressing space debris and planning to avoid collisions or electromagnetic interference certainly reflect the changing global context and a need to think differently about the nation’s role internationally. This report garnered positive reviews from technical experts and organizations, demonstrating the Academy’s expertise and ability to navigate the technical and administrative challenges of delivering government services effectively and efficiently. Other engagements that have addressed this evolving capability include evaluating the role of the Office of Technology Assessment and identifying the value of revitalizing the Agricultural Research Service programs. These examples demonstrate the Academy’s ability to shape conversations and decision making around the administration of science and technology programs within the federal government.
We have also partnered with other stakeholders to understand the impact of federal science and research-driven initiatives and specifically, what the impacts of national policies are in states and localities. Last year, the Academy completed a two-part study for the National Coalition of STD Directors in order of to understand the sexually transmitted disease landscape across the nation as well as the best strategies at the state and local levels to combat the STD epidemic. Here again, a key driver of success was the effective management of federal resources and increased coordination across agencies and sectors. Additionally, the Academy has been able to better understand how private funding entities can impact scientific research within federal agencies through the review of the International Life Sciences Institute of North America’s Scientific Integrity policy. Drawing on the tenets of scientific integrity policies in federal agencies (and other entities), this report provided actionable recommendations to strengthen policy and process to ensure adherence to their guiding principles.
Collectively, these engagements enabled the Academy to provide guidance and good practice recommendations to federal science and technology organizations and to stakeholders contributing to critical research and development. We hope that the lessons learned in these initiatives can continue to serve as guide posts for assisting agencies with future challenges – recognizing that there is a role to play assisting top scientists and innovators through the lens of governance.
*The National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy) is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization established in 1967 to assist government leaders in building more effective, accountable, and transparent organizations. Chartered by Congress to provide nonpartisan expert advice, the Academy’s unique feature is its over 950 Fellows—including former cabinet officers, Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, business executives, and career public administrators. The Academy helps the federal government address its critical management challenges through in-depth studies and analyses, advisory services and technical assistance, congressional testimony, forums and conferences, and online stakeholder engagement. Under contracts with government agencies, some of which are directed by Congress, as well as grants from private foundations, the Academy provides insights on key public management issues, as well as advisory services to government agencies. If you would like to find out more about how the Academy can support your organization, please visit us at www.napawash.org.
The column part of the FEDforum, an initiative to unite voices across the federal community. The FEDforum is a space for federal employee groups to share their organizations’ initiatives and activities with the FEDmanager audience.
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