IGA-311: Designing and Conducting Interdisciplinary Assessments for Policy

Semester: Not Offered

Credit: 1.0

Faculty: John Holdren

Schedule

Day Time Location
First Day
Meet Day
Review

Description

An introduction to methods for designing, conducting, and communicating an interdisciplinary assessment of policy-related issues at the intersections of science and technology (S&T) with societal concerns. Coverage includes understanding how and why assessments succeed or fail; linking of audience and purpose with assessment design; approaches to conceptualization and organization of interdisciplinary S&T topics; practical approaches to collection and analysis of data; working effectively in assessment teams and committees; and effective written and oral communication of findings. Several real-world S&T assessments on environmental, energy, and defense topics will be studied as examples. Primary audiences for the course are natural scientists and technologists, social scientists, and policy analysts who are likely to find themselves overseeing or participating in policy-related S&T assessments (which occur both in the private and government sectors). Prerequisite: IGA-205 (previously STP-100) or permission of the instructor.

Course is open to graduate students from outside the HKS with instructor’s permission. Not offered in 2008–09.