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Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN): Facilitating Rapid and Actionable Responses to Social, Behavioral, and Economic-Related Questions

The Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) was launched by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with support from the National Science Foundation to bring timely, actionable guidance to the critical and complex questions that decision-makers face. SEAN collates and contextualizes the latest research and perspectives to address pressing societal issues ranging from COVID-19 and emerging infectious diseases to extreme weather events worsened by climate change. As the nation recovers from COVID-19, SEAN will continue to provide actionable, evidence-based guidance to policymakers at all levels on pressing societal issues.

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Improving How State and Local Governments Use AI

Feature Story

State and local governments around the U.S. are harnessing artificial intelligence for a range of applications. A webinar explored a recent National Academies report on the subject and other supports to help agencies use AI effectively and responsibly.

Sep 15, 2025

Diverse business team in a modern office during a meeting, discussing artificial intelligence strategy. Concept of AI innovation, teamwork, leadership, corporate planning, professional collaboration.

New Rapid Expert Consultation: Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Social Isolation and Loneliness

Media Advisory

Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Social Isolation and Loneliness, a new rapid expert consultation (REC) from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, offers decision-makers, health care providers, and others a range of approaches for counteracting these increases in social isolation and loneliness.

Jul 18, 2024

Fall 2023 Vaccination Strategies — New Expert Consultation

Media Advisory

This fall is the first time that vaccines for COVID-19, seasonal flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be available simultaneously. A new rapid expert consultation provides guidance for a comprehensive and coordinated communication strategy that builds trust in vaccines and delivers clear, transparent information on each vaccine’s unique characteristics.

Sep 27, 2023

The Pandemic ‘Baby Bust’ and Rebound

Feature Story

The COVID-19 pandemic shaped many people’s choices about whether and when to have children. A recent webinar explored the pandemic’s impact on birth rates, longer-term trends in U.S. birth rates, and why it matters for policy.

Jun 17, 2022

Designing COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Incentive Programs — New Expert Consultation

News Release

Vaccination mandates and requirements can be effective in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates, but their success depends on being targeted and on building trust, says a new rapid expert consultation, which also outlines considerations for using incentives to promote booster uptake.

Mar 24, 2022

As New Variants of the Coronavirus Emerge, Reaching the Vaccine-Hesitant Takes on New Urgency

Feature Story

As the omicron variant of the coronavirus sweeps through the U.S. and other parts of the world — and with the possibility of emerging new variants looming — building confidence in vaccines has become even more important. How can knowledge from the social sciences inform effective communication around vaccines?

Feb 4, 2022

Mitigating the Effects of Pandemic on Early Child Care and Education Providers — New Consultation

Media Advisory

A new National Academies consultation outlines strategies that decision-makers could use to address long-standing challenges and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in the early child care and education sector.

Jan 12, 2022

When Talking to Parents About COVID-19 Vaccines for Children, Emphasize Safety, Encourage Speaking with Family Doctor, and Leverage Social Connections, Says New Expert Consultation

News Release

When communicating with parents about getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19, emphasize the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, encourage them to talk with their family doctor, and leverage parents’ social networks.

Oct 13, 2021

How College and University Leaders Are Getting Their Campuses Vaccinated

Feature Story

For the first time since the pandemic struck, many colleges and universities are bringing students back to campus at full capacity. Their administrators are turning to new strategies and incentives to get students vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sep 28, 2021

Direct Financial Support, Access to Male-Dominated Jobs, and Investing in Child Care Can Increase Women’s Participation in Post-COVID Workforce, Says New Expert Consultation

News Release

Since the start of the pandemic, 2.5 million women have departed from the job market. A new rapid expert consultation says direct financial support, greater access to male-dominated jobs, and investing in child care can encourage women to return to the post-COVID workforce.

Aug 12, 2021

COVID-19 Pandemic and Racial Trauma Have Caused Unprecedented Disruption Among Youth; School-Based Supports Can Help Address Mental Health Concerns

News Release

The COVID-19 pandemic and heightened racial trauma have caused unprecedented disruptions in the lives of young people — bringing increased stress, anxiety, and depression. A new rapid expert consultation offers strategies for schools to support youth mental health as students return to the classroom.

Jul 8, 2021

Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy: What Can We Learn From Social Science?

Feature Story

As COVID-19 vaccination programs across the country transition from meeting urgent demand to reaching people who are less eager to get the shot, leaders are looking for new vaccine communications strategies.

Jul 1, 2021

Drought and Record Heat in the West: The Climate Change Connection

Feature Story

As intense drought and record heat make their way across the Western U.S., the deep and devastating impacts of this extreme weather are clear — electric utilities are asking consumers to ration power and water, farmers are scrambling to sell or save their produce, and officials are making plans to keep their communities safe and cool.

Jun 18, 2021

Decoding Science: Lessons from the Leading Edge

Feature Story

Early studies on COVID-19 hold lessons for any new area of science - approach with caution and stay open to change.

May 12, 2021

Woman working in a lab

New Rapid Expert Consultation Shares Insights from Social Science on Communicating COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Equity

News Release

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue and accelerate across the U.S., a new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers advice for decision-makers communicating to the public about vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and equity — drawing on findings from social and behavioral science.

Apr 20, 2021

New Rapid Expert Consultation Offers Strategies for Navigating Disaster Response, Evacuation, and Sheltering Complicated by COVID-19

News Release

A new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies strategies for emergency planners and decision-makers to consider as they update their disaster plans for evacuation, sheltering, and mass care amid COVID-19.

Feb 23, 2021

Firefighters standing in heavy snowfall at night, illuminated by emergency vehicle lights as they work at a snowy scene.

To Increase Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines, Decision-Makers Need to Showcase Public Support, Leverage Endorsements, Focus on Hesitant Individuals, and Engage Communities

News Release

Decision-makers leading COVID-19 vaccine rollouts need to begin communicating with the public immediately if they have not already — emphasizing public support for vaccinations, leveraging celebrity and community champion endorsements, and focusing on those who are skeptical or hesitant of the vaccines rather than firmly opposed — to ensure demand and promote uptake, says a new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Feb 3, 2021

Methods to Track Health Care Worker Deaths, Burnout from COVID-19 Examined in New Rapid Response to Government

News Release

A new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine examines methods to better track and evaluate deaths and mental health consequences among health care workers (HCWs) due to COVID-19.

Dec 10, 2020

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