Center for Policy Research in Environment, Energy, and Community
Social Sciences and Energy Policy
The House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing Tuesday to examine the contributions of research in the social sciences to the design, implementation, and evaluation of energy policy. Witnesses representing several social science disciplines and from both academia and industry testified. A common theme expressed was that the efficacy of investment in science and technology will be enhanced by investment in social science:
- The federal government has a role in investing in basic social science research and there needs to be an integration of this science in technology development.
- Graduate education plays a large role. There is a need for interdisciplinary research.
- Social science research is needed in order to garner an understanding of what influences individual energy related behavior.
- Corporate faculty in residence programs might be a way to increase collaboration.
The hearing charter is available at: science.house.gov/.
Last modified: 06/12/08 | Contact Webmaster
