1. NEW REPORT: For @TAPP_Project, @Laura_Manley1 and I wrote about why Congress needs to hire more STEM professionals for policy advising roles, and how universities and foundations can help. https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/improving-stem-policy-advice-emerging-technology-era

2. Congress doesn't have enough STEM professionals on staff to advise it on emerging tech policy.

We’ve heard that from hundreds of people: current and former members of Congress, congressional staffers, think tank leaders, and more.

3. We’ve also heard that STEM professionals should want to work on Capitol Hill, and that Congress should want to hire STEM professionals.

Each group has a lot to get out of working together:

4. Several organizations help STEM professionals to serve in policy advising roles on Capitol Hill already, like @AAAS_STPF and @congressfellows.

They do a great job. They've also convinced many members of Congress of the value of STEM expertise.

5. @NewAmericaPIT is growing a network of universities that will help train the next generation of policy-oriented and public-spirited technologists.

Several universities are helping STEM students develop policy skills, too.

6. But more can be done to encourage STEM professionals to serve in policy advising roles.

Our report analyzed six ways to do so, all of which can help:

7. Increasing the number of STEM professionals working on Capitol Hill won’t solve all of Congress’s problems.

But a Congress with more in-house STEM expertise is a better Congress.

Americans need—and deserve—a better Congress.

8. Many in Congress understand the value of STEM expertise already.

@ModernizeCmte (the “Fix Congress” committee) offered several capacity-increasing recommendations to make Congress a better place to work:

https://modernizecongress.house.gov/imo/media/doc/ModernizationCommittee_10152020r1Compressed%20(newest%20gpo%20report).pdf

9. Ultimately, improving Congress’s ability to deal with emerging technology issues will require Congress, universities, non-profits, and the private sector to work together. It’s a job for all of us.

Read more: https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/improving-stem-policy-advice-emerging-technology-era

10. We'll be talking about the need for science and tech expertise in government with Ash Carter, @AliNouriPhD, @John_Bailey, and Cass Madison at a virtual event on Thursday, November 19th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET.

Register here: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FyePfxU1Q_-Xk47sxkGb5g

If you've made it this far, you deserve a picture of Tali: