Science communication in Congress: for what use?

Area of Science:

• Political Science
• Science Communication
• Public Policy

Background:

• US Congress members depend on staff, including science and engineering fellows, for scientific information crucial to policymaking.
• Understanding the dynamics of science communication within the highly partisan US Congress is limited.
• Factors influencing science communication can significantly impact legislative capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and test a four-dimensional model of science communication obstacles in Congress.
• To analyze how these obstacles differ based on the intended use of scientific information: strategic vs. substantive.
• To identify factors that impede or facilitate the use of scientific information in legislative processes.

Main Methods:

• Interviews with 58 congressional staff members in energy, natural resources, and science issue portfolios.
• Surveys with 68 science and engineering fellows who completed their congressional service between 2015 and 2019.
• Data collection occurred from November 2017 to February 2019.

Main Results:

• Both congressional staff and fellows encounter impediments in communicating scientific information.
• Staff report greater challenges in using science for substantive policy decisions, citing time, contacts, access, and information presentation.
• Fellows experience fewer barriers and utilize science for policy similarly to staff.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the proposed four-dimensional model of science communication in Congress.
• Staff scientific fluency and the specific decision-making context are critical for effective science communication.
• Enhancing the integration of scientific expertise within legislative bodies is essential for informed policymaking.