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Resources to Help You Fast-Track Your Societal Impact through Science & Technology Policy

Discover the ideas, strategies, and insights you need to grow your science and technology policy career so that you can make a difference in the world

Book

“From Expertise to Impact: A Practical Guide to Informing and Influencing Science and Technology Policy” demystifies the process of influencing policy decisions, offering a roadmap for scientists and engineers through the journey of leveraging their scientific and technical expertise to make a tangible difference in science and technology policy for societal benefit.

With practical exercises and real-world examples, Dr. Deborah D. Stine, founder of the Science and Technology Policy, guides readers through the 4Es: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability. In doing so, she provides a practical guide for informing and influencing science and technology policy.

S&T Policy Job Advice

Seeking a job in science and tech policy? Come hear to hear advice through “Dear Debbie” letters.

Free Videos to Help You Increase the Efficiency and Quality of Your Policy Analysis

What is Science and Technology Policy?

In this 90-minute webinar, recorded during the 2023 National Science Policy Network HBCU & MSI Science Policy College Tour, Dr. Deborah D. Stine, founder of the Science and Technology Policy Academy, introduced attendees to science and technology policy. She uses Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) science and technology policy actions as an illustration. In addition, she discussed the difference between equity and equality.

From Expertise to Impact: A Practical Guide to Informing and Influencing Policy

February 2, 2026

In this practical session, Deborah Stine will guide participants through proven strategies for translating expertise into impact. You’ll explore how to frame evidence for different audiences, shape policy conversations at the right moments, and engage decision-makers with clarity and purpose. Drawing on real-world examples from government, research, and advisory roles, the workshop focuses on how influence actually works in practice—not in theory.

Using Generative AI to Improve Everyday Workflows for Public Professionals

January 23, 2026

Using Generative AI to Improve Everyday Workflows for Public Professionals

Generative AI is becoming central to how public agencies handle the routine, time-consuming tasks that shape everyday government. This workshop provides public professionals with GenAI methods that go beyond basic prompting to more sophisticated methods that streamline routine tasks, such as distilling complex guidance, translating technical material, and organizing data into usable structures. Participants will also explore how GenAI can function as a strategic thinking partner.

This session is designed for public professionals who manage basic and complex information flows and want to use GenAI responsibly to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, clarity, and quality of their regular work.

Community Engagement for Public Professionals: Surveys

June 26, 2025

In the fourth workshop of Dr. Deborah Stine’s community engagement series, the focus will shift to the design and implementation of effective surveys, a critical tool for collecting qualitative and quantitative data on community attitudes, preferences, and needs. Participants will learn how to formulate clear and unbiased survey questions, select appropriate distribution methods, and ensure reasonable response rates. Through hands-on exercises, attendees will explore methods for analyzing survey data and translating findings into actionable insights. By the end of the workshop, participants will be well-prepared to utilize surveys as a pivotal element of their community engagement strategy, ensuring that data-driven decisions reflect the true voice of the community. The last workshop in the community enagement series will effectively communicate engagement results as well as scientific and technical information to policymakers and the public.

Community Engagement for Public Professionals: Focus Groups

June 17, 2025

This workshop, the third of a series on community engagement led by Dr. Deborah D. Stine, will focus on the use of focus groups to collect information from community members. Participants will learn how to capture a wide range of insights, design engaging and inclusive focus group questions, recruit a representative mix of participants, and create a comfortable environment that encourages open and honest discussion. Through interactive activities and case studies, attendees will learn techniques for managing group dynamics and synthesizing feedback. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to use focus groups as a strategic tool in their community engagement efforts, enabling them to gather comprehensive and nuanced input that informs policy and program decisions. Future workshops will delve into using surveys as well as effectively communicating engagement results as well as scientific and technical information to policymakers and the public.

Community Engagement for Public Professionals: Interviews

June 12, 2025

This workshop on interviews is the second of a five-part series on community engagement, led by Dr. Deborah D. Stine. Building on the foundational strategies from the first workshop, participants will learn about the art and science of conducting effective interviews to equip state and local government staff with the skills needed to gather valuable insights directly from community members. Participants will learn how to design interview questions that elicit meaningful responses, select appropriate interviewees, and create an environment conducive to open dialogue. Through real-world scenarios, attendees will practice active listening techniques and learn how to analyze and interpret interview data to accurately reflect community needs and priorities. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to use interviews as a powerful tool to enhance their community engagement efforts, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and considered in the decision-making process. Future workshops will delve into using focus groups and surveys as well as effectively communicating engagement results and scientific and technical analysis to policymakers and the public.

Community Engagement for Public Professionals: Overview

June 5, 2025

Join Dr. Deborah D. Stine for an engaging introduction to a five-part series on community engagement tailored for state and local government. This first workshop provides an overview of innovative strategies to strengthen connections with communities. Attendees will learn effective communication techniques, how to leverage digital tools, and how to design inclusive outreach programs that resonate with diverse groups. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants will discover ways to identify community priorities, foster active participation, and build trust with stakeholders. By the end of this session, you’ll have practical strategies to enhance your community engagement efforts, resulting in improved public services and stronger civic relationships. Future workshops will delve into using interviews, focus groups, and surveys for data collection, and conclude with techniques for effectively communicating engagement results to policymakers and the public, emphasizing scientific and technical information.

AI Prompts Unleashed: Transforming the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Your Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, and Community Engagement

May 8, 2025

Join Dr. Deborah D. Stine for a practical, hands-on webinar designed to empower state and local government staff in policy analysis, program evaluation, and related community engagement with the latest advancements in AI-driven prompts. Participantswill learn how to craft effective AI prompts tailored to their specific needs, interactive exercises to practice prompt creation, and actional strategies on integrating AI tools into their day-to-day activities. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped to boost their efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately leading to more impactful societal outcomes.

Equity Analysis for Public Policy and Programs

December 10, 2024

Receive an understanding of equity and how to assess equity in public policy when analyzing the status of equity in current programs, changes to those programs, and potential new policies
Hear how equity, justice, inclusion, and underserved communities are defined by federal agency equity policies, as well as community concerns about equity issues in some federal policies
Understand equity challenges and opportunities; methods for community engagement on equity issues; and equity measurement in program evaluation and policy analysis
Learn about available data sources and tools to assess equity as well as methods to communicate the results of an equity analysis.

Policy Analysis for Public Professionals

October 8, 2024

Hear how policy analysis provides a systematic process to analyze public policy options to respond to a societal challenge
Understand how policy analysis involves identifying an underlying public problem, key decision-makers, stakeholders, and policy options. I
Learn about the ten-step process to do a public policy analysis based on the 4Es (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability
Receive an overview of ways to communicate the recommendations from the policy analysis

Evaluating Effectiveness and Efficiency through Benefit-Cost, Cost-Effectiveness, and Risk Analyses

June 27, 2024

Join us for a 90-minute virtual training with Dr. Deborah Stine, Founder of the Science & Technology Policy Academy, where participants will learn about three fundamental quantitative techniques that are essential for evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of public policies: benefit-cost analysis (BCA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), and risk analysis (RA)

Program Evaluation Series: Navigating Stakeholder and Community Engagement in Program Evaluation

October 12, 2023

Stakeholder engagement requires actively involving individuals, groups, or organizations who have a vested interest or influence in a project or decision-making process, seeking their input, feedback, and collaboration to ensure well-rounded perspectives and informed outcomes. Community engagement goes a step further by specifically focusing on the involvement and empowerment of local residents and community members in decisions that affect their lives, fostering inclusivity, and promoting shared ownership of initiatives. In this 90-minute virtual training, participants will learn to harness diverse perspectives through stakeholder and community engagement for comprehensive program evaluations that drive positive outcomes to help communities reach their societal goals. Participants will learn about the importance of inclusive stakeholder and community engagement; how to identify stakeholders and relevant communities; stakeholder mapping; engagement strategies; data collection methods; overcoming challenges; and ethical considerations. Real-world examples will be used to illustrate the key points in the workshop.

Program Evaluation Series: Understanding Program Evaluation Essentials

October 5, 2023

Program evaluation is a systematic process of assessing the design, implementation, and impact of a project or initiative to determine its effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and overall value. In this 90-minute virtual training, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how program evaluation empowers professionals in state and local governments to make informed choices, enhance program effectiveness, ensure optimal resource allocation, and take into consideration equity opportunities and challenges. Participants will learn the fundamentals of each of the six steps in program evaluation; understand the differences between inputs, outputs, and outcomes; identify sources of data and data collection; the importance of stakeholder engagement; how to communicate program evaluation results; and ethical considerations in program evaluation. Real-world examples will be used to illustrate the key points in the workshop.

Assessing the Impact: Evaluation of Public Programs

June 22, 2023

Join Deborah Stine, Founder and Chief Instructor of the Science & Technology Policy Academy, for this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn about two important components of evaluating projects: conducting effective surveys and social auditing.