Science and Technology Policy and Law Program Area
The Science and Technology Policy and Law program area provides authoritative advice to the nation on vital issues shaping science and technology. Our work protects the integrity of research, examines legal and governance frameworks, monitors U.S. policy developments to inform interested groups, and supports evidence-based decision-making.
In progress
News and Updates
New Report Identifies Policy Options to Improve Federal Research Regulations, Bolster U.S. Scientific Competitiveness
News Release
The U.S. scientific enterprise has produced significant advances in technologies and medicines for the nation but is being held back by uncoordinated regulations and policies. A new National Academies report examines the landscape of federal regulations and outlines policy options to alleviate administrative and regulatory burden.
Advances in Facial Recognition Technology Have Outpaced Laws, Regulations; New Report Recommends Federal Government Take Action on Privacy, Equity, and Civil Liberties Concerns
News Release
A new report recommends ways for the federal government to address privacy, equity, and civil liberties concerns raised by some uses of facial recognition technology and provides guidance for responsible development and deployment of the technology.
National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Meeting 12
- January 23 - 24, 2024
- Meeting
- Past
This was the twelfth meeting of the National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable. This meeting was the Roundtable's Pacific Regional Meeting held at the Hoover Institution at Stanford Univers...
Board on Research Data and Information: January 2024 Meeting
- January 19, 2024
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
- Past
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Board on Research Data and Information (BRDI) held a virtual meeting on January 19, 2024. Members were provided with updates on current...
Law Enforcement Use of Probabilistic Genotyping, Forensic DNA Phenotyping, and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technologies: A Workshop (Meeting #4)
- January 19, 2024
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Past
A closed session was held this day.
Facial Recognition: Current Capabilities, Future Prospects, and Governance (Report Release Webinar)
- January 17, 2024
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
- Webinar
- Past
REPORT RELEASE WEBINAR Facial Recognition Technology: Current Capabilities, Future Prospects, and Governance Facial recognition technology is increasingly used for identity verification and identifica...
Law Enforcement Use of Probabilistic Genotyping, Forensic DNA Phenotyping, and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technologies: A Workshop (Meeting #3)
- December 18, 2023
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Past
A closed session was held this day.
Optimizing Federal, State, and Local Response to Public Health Emergencies - A Workshop - Planning Meeting 1
- December 14, 2023
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
- Past
This is the first meeting of the committee planning the workshop titled Optimizing Federal, State, and Local Response to Public Health Emergencies. The meeting is virtual.
Law Enforcement Use of Probabilistic Genotyping, Forensic DNA Phenotyping, and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technologies: A Workshop (Meeting #2)
- December 13, 2023
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Past
A closed session was held this day.
Facial Recognition: Current Capabilities, Future Prospects, and Governance (Meeting 21)
- December 12, 2023
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Meeting
- Past
The committee will meet to continue to work on the report draft.
Law Enforcement Use of Probabilistic Genotyping, Forensic DNA Phenotyping, and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technologies: A Workshop (Meeting #1)
- December 12, 2023
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Past
A closed session was held this day.
After Roe: Preventing Harassment and Violence against Health Professionals Who Provide Reproductive Care. A Webinar
- December 11, 2023
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
- Webinar
- Past
The Standing Committee on Reproductive Health, Equity, and Society is a group of experts of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that lead a cross-cutting initiative on equita...
Facial Recognition: Current Capabilities, Future Prospects, and Governance (Meeting 20)
- December 8, 2023
- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Meeting
- Past
The committee will meet to continue to work on reviewer feedback and draft the report.
On Leading a Lab: Strengthening Scientific Leadership in Responsible Research, A Workshop
- December 4 - 5, 2023
- Workshop
- Past
This NASEM workshop explores new approaches to strengthening the integration of scientific integrity and research ethics into the conduct of research (RCR) and recognizing expanding roles and expectat...
National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Meeting 11
- November 28 - 29, 2023
- Meeting
- Past
This was the eleventh meeting of the National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.
Facial Recognition: Current Capabilities, Future Prospects, and Governance (Meeting 19)
- November 21, 2023
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (EST)
- Closed
- Meeting
- Past
The committee will meet in closed session to go through reviewer comments.
Committee on Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Public Policy (Fall Meeting 2023)
- November 15 - 16, 2023
- Meeting
- Past
The Committee on Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Public Policy will gather for its biannual meeting. Please email cosempup@nas.edu for more information about observing the open sessions.