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 big thinkers from academia, industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and citizen groups convene in late July 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.
- Report: Grading Government Transparency
- Case Study: SARS—A Pandemic Prevented
- Report: The Role of Trade Groups in the Climate Debate
- Branscomb Forum: Improving Citizen Access to Government Science
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.
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
Congratulations to Celia Wexler, CSD senior Washington representative, whose book, Out of the News: Former Journalists Discuss a Profession in Crisis, has won a 2012 Sigma Delta Chi award for "Research about Journalism" from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Join the conversation on The Equation, the UCS blog:
How the Science of Tornado Forecasting Saved Lives in Moore, Oklahoma – and How We Can Do Better Michael Halpern
What Do Food and Fracking Have in Common? We Need Information to Make the Best Choice Andrew Rosenberg
We Don’t Have To Give Up Our Place To Special Interests: Democracy Gives Us Options Celia Wexler
Got Science?
Stories about the use and misuse of science in government, politics, and the media
Soot Happened: EPA's New Standard Finally Gets the Science Right
New Whistleblower Law Protects You, Too
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.
