ACS Science & the Congress Project
With more than 120 briefings to date, the ACS Science & the Congress Project conducts congressional briefings that provide opportunities for Members of the Congress and their staffs, and the wider science policy community, to gain a greater knowledge of the science involved in numerous public policy issues.
Science & the Congress was established in 1995 to provide a neutral and credible source of scientific information targeted to policymakers on Capitol Hill.
Expert speakers are chosen to provide a balanced presentation about the topic under discussion, and their comments are independent of any position that may be held by the American Chemical Society, the sponsors of Science & the Congress, or its co-hosts. More information on topics, speakers, presentations and related materials can be found at the individual briefing web pages below.
Recent Congressional Briefings
Science & Sustainability
- Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Advances in Geological CO2 Sequestration (October 30, 2009)
- Reforming Toxic Substances Control: Meet the Players (September 29, 2009)
- Regional Climate Models: A Critical Adaptation Tool for Communities & Industry (September 18, 2009)
- Enabling Renewable Energy: Building a Bigger Battery (June 16, 2009)
- Understanding the U.S. Energy Profile
(March 27, 2009) video available
- Chemicals in Our Bodies: Use of Biomonitoring Data for Policy Making (March 20, 2009)
- Achieving Our Energy Goals: Alternative Transportation Fuels (February 6, 2009) video available
- Solar Power: Harnessing the Sun’s Energy (December 15, 2008) video available
- Greenland’s Shrinking Ice Sheet: Images, Measurements & Implications (September 9, 2008) video available
- How Do Biofuels Impact Greenhouse Gas Emissions? (August 1, 2008) video available
- Climate Change: Bringing together Science, Policy & Business (June 4, 2008)
- ZERO Carbon Solutions: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
(April 16, 2008)
Value of Briefings to Policymakers
- Increase awareness of the role and impact of science and technology in public policy
- Provide credible information the science underlying policy choices to enhance the scientific literacy of Congress
- Promote the responsible use of sound scientific judgment in policymaking
- Fill the void left by the downsizing or elimination of government agencies responsible for assisting Congress with assessment and interpretation of scientific information
- Foster cooperation within the scientific community in communicating with Congress
Value to ACS & its Members
- Raise the visibility of ACS on Capitol Hill and increase the credibility of its advocacy efforts
- Enhance ACS’s leadership role in the science community
- Strengthen ties between ACS and other scientific and engineering societies
- Improve ACS members’ familiarity with current science policy issues
Innovation through Research & Technology
- Cyber Physical Systems: Creating a Safer, Healthier, More Prosperous Future (July 9, 2009)
- More Bang for the R&D Buck: Young Researchers & High-Risk Research (February 27, 2009) video available
- The Nature of U.S. Innovation: The Federal Role (December 2, 2008) video available
- Nanotechnology 102: Understanding Congress’s Role (April 18, 2008) video available
- Future Research Directions in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (March 14, 2008) video available
- Nanotechnology 101: Science, Technology and Health (March 12, 2008) video available
- Basic Research Drives Defense Technologies (February 28, 2008) audio available
- America, We Have a Problem
(December 12, 2007)
Science Education & Workforce
- K-12 STEM Education Models that Work (April 17, 2008)
- STEM Education, Girls and the Challenges that Follow: From the Classroom to STEM Careers (July 16, 2008)
- Educating to Advance Nanotechnology (January 23, 2008) video available
- Academic Diversity: A Look at Race, Ethnicity, & Gender in Higher Education (October 31, 2007)
- The Leaky Science and Engineering Pipeline: How Can We Retain More Women? (October 18, 2007)
- Putting the STEM in No Child Left Behind (September 21, 2007)
- The Importance of the Diversity Issue to the Competitiveness & Innovation Debate (June 28, 2007)
Science and Openness
Also see the ACS Global Challenges Podcasts
Contact Us:
American Chemical Society Science & the Congress Project
1155 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 872-8725
Fax: (202) 872-6206
E-mail