The Center for Science and Democracy
Strengthening American democracy by advancing the essential role of science, evidence-based decision making, and constructive debate as a means to improve the health, security, and prosperity of all people.
JULY 24-25, 2013: Science, Democracy, and Community Decisions on Fracking (A Lewis M. Branscomb Forum)
SAVE THE DATE! Join us in person or via webcast as leading thinkers from academia, industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and citizen groups convene to delve into some of the most complex challenges around hydraulic fracturing ("fracking").
Find out more
Why a Center for Science and Democracy?
The role of science in our democracy has been marginalized, and science is increasingly misrepresented in our public discourse. This is a deeply troubling development at a time when we face huge challenges that require pragmatic, evidence-based solutions. The Center for Science and Democracy was created to address this problem.
What We're Doing
The Center's work takes many forms. We're producing original research and analysis, such as reports and case studies showing how science and democracy are (or too often, aren't) working together to solve problems. We're creating opportunities for public dialogue, such as our Branscomb Forum series, to help spark a national conversation on the role of science in our democracy. And we're calling on Americans—prominent thought leaders as well as ordinary citizens—to help us make the case for evidence-based solutions.
Our 2013 report, Grading Government Transparency, evaluates 17 federal agency media and social media policies.
What You Can Do
To succeed, the Center for Science and Democracy will need the help of citizens, scientists and decisions makers like you—people who understand the importance of scientific evidence in solving our common problems, and want to be part of that solution.
"Democracy, like science, is an ongoing experiment, always building on documented evidence."
—John N., Fountain Hills, Arizona
Tell us why you think science is important for our democracy.
Take Action: Let Scientists Speak
Urge the FDA to develop strong traditional and social media policies to allow scientists to more effectively share their research and expertise with the public. Get involved
Scientific Integrity in Federal Policy Making
Science can play a crucial role in solving problems and making our country healthier, safer, and more prosperous—but only if it's free to do its job without political or corporate interference.
More about our scientific integrity work
Science and Democracy: A Rich History
Science and government have enjoyed a fruitful relationship in the United States, going all the way back to citizen-scientists like Franklin and Jefferson, whose interest in science is written into our founding documents.
Science is far from a perfect instrument of knowledge. It is merely the best we have. In this respect, as in many others, it's like democracy.
—Carl Sagan
Theresa Riley of Moyers & Company recently spoke with Center for Science and Democracy Director Andrew Rosenberg about corporate influence, attacks on scientists, and other obstacles to evidence-based public policy. Read the interview
Join the conversation on The Equation, the UCS blog:
Interference in the Science of Atrazine (Again): Syngenta Tears a Page from the Tobacco Industry Playbook Gretchen Goldman
Senator Heinrich, We Couldn’t Have Said It Better—Science and Democracy are Indivisible Andrew Rosenberg
Corporate Counterfeit Science – Both Wrong and Dangerous Andrew Rosenberg
Got Science?
Stories about the use and misuse of science in government, politics, and the media
ALEC Threatens Food Safety with Whistleblower Suppression Laws
What South Carolinians Deserve to Know about Climate Change
Who We Are
Steering Committee
Our steering committee includes distinguished scientists, scholars and public policy experts with a broad range of experience and a shared commitment to advancing the role of science and evidence in solving our common problems.
Our Experts
Andrew Rosenberg
Director
Pallavi Phartiyal
Senior Analyst and Program Manager
Michael Halpern
Program Manager
Deborah Bailin
Analyst
Gretchen Goldman
Analyst
Celia Wexler
Senior Washington Representative
Contact Us
For more information about how to get involved and to learn about opportunities to support the Center, please contact Pallavi Phartiyal at pphartiyal@ucsusa.org or 617-301-8039.
