ASA Science Policy

Following the recommendation of the ASA Science Policy Task Force, ASA created the position Director of Science Policy to promote the inclusion of statistics in policy making and the funding of statistics research. Steve Pierson started the position on March 17, 2008.

Projects:

• ASA is working with the ElectionAudits.org and other groups on election integrity issues:
  • ASA endorses Election Auditing Principles; 9/15/08.
  • Election Auditing Resource Page
• ASA helping to advocate for more money for basic research by pushing for funding for science in the supplemental. See the letters signed below.
  • ASA organizes briefing for Blue Dog science staffers with help of Task Force.
    Powerpoint Presentation
• ASA joins other science and engineering groups to encourage more scientists and engineers to enter public office. See http://elections.sefora.org/.
  • AMSTAT News article on ASA members in Public Office
• To suggest science policy topics for ASA to address, contact Steve Pierson at pierson@amstat.org or 703.302.1841.

Letters signed/sent:

• ASA supports funding to prepare for decennial census: 4/28/08 - Administration & 4/29/08 - Congress, 9/11/08 - Congress.
• ASA joins others thanking Congressional leaders for Higher Education Opportunity Act, 9/5/08.
• ASA endorses H.R. 6314: “Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2008”; June 2008. Letter to House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon.
• ASA supports science research funding (non-NIH): 9/10/08 NSF letters; 6/3/08 House letter; 6/3/08 Senate letter.
• ASA supports NIH and NCHS budgets: 9/8/08; 5/16/08
• ASA signs onto letter urging the next President of the United States to appoint a Science Advisor before taking office (endorsements still underway.)
• ASA president submits comments on proposed changes to CMS Part D Public Use Files, 9/17/08.
• ASA joins COSSA and AERA in submitting comments on proposed changes to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act to build the science underlying educational policy and practice.
• ASA supports science research funding (non-NIH)
  • FY09: America COMPETES 9/22/08; America COMPETES 9/22/08 Senate; 9/10/08 NSF letters;
  • FY08: 6/3/08 House letter; 6/3/08 Senate letter; 4/16 House; 4/16 Senate; 4/16 President; & 4/7/2008

Links:

• Scientific and Public Affairs (SPA) Committee; ASA Science Policy Task Force (2006-2007)
• Recent Board Actions
  • ASA issues position on electoral integrity: news release; March 2008.
  • ASA Endorses Conclusions of the UN IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on Climate Change: statement; news release; November 2007.
  • The ASA Board of Directors endorses the 2002 AAAS resolution regarding intelligent design and evolution; March 2006.
• Task Force on the Future of American Innovation; Coalition for National Science Funding

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