The Center for Science, Technology, and Environment Policy Studies (CSTEPS) does research to understand the processes, institutions, incentives and organizations that affect the development and production of science. For example, we are interested in how science programs create network based research capacity and competitiveness. We are also interested in how regulations affect the choices scientists make, their collaboration structures and their knowledge and innovation production. We have conducted work on the effects of bias on the advancement and success of women and minorities in the academic scientific workforce. Generally, our aim is to encourage policies that improve how science is conducted to achieve important social and environmental outcomes.

CSTEPS also does research on the role of technology in organization change, particularly as it concerns public organizations. For example, we have a multiyear project that aims to understand how transit agencies invest in technology to respond to climate change. We also have a multiyear project that tracks the use of information and communication technology in government. Our aim is to understand how technology is used by government organizations to improve public services, governance processes and environmental outcomes.

Much of our work is global. We have had several projects that are either located in other countries or examine global trends. One current project focuses on the factors that determine international mobility of the scientific workforce. We are also involved in global research on food security – particularly in low income countries. Our work is also multidisciplinary and empirically based, involving people from different disciplines and methodological approaches. Almost all of our work is grant and contract funded; funders include the NSF, US AID, US DOT, UN FAO, CGIAR and others.