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January 1 – December 31, 2017
Full Annual Report [pdf]
The Center for Science and Technology Policy Research (CSTPR) was initiated within the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado-Boulder in the summer of 2001 and was recognized as an official University center in the summer of 2002 to conduct research, education, and outreach at the interface of science, technology, and the needs of decision makers in public and private settings. Our long-term vision is to “serve as a resource for science and technology decision makers and those providing the education of future decision makers.” Our mission is to improve how science and technology policies address societal needs, including research, education and service.
The annual report includes CSTPR highlights from 2017 as well as a complete list of activities. Also included are selected activities of CSTPR faculty affiliates as an indication (not exhaustive accounting) of what those affiliates engage in.
In 2017, we were pleased to celebrate our 15th anniversary of the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research (CSTPR) against the backdrop of our parent institution’s 50th anniversary (the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences) here at CU Boulder. Throughout our celebrations (see page 7 for more) and reflections on our accomplishments in this ‘quinceañera’ year, we also contemplate our ongoing ambitions going forward as a Center.
Amid the dynamism of contemporary science and technology policy activities in the US and around the world, we remain steadfast in our mission to improve how science and technology policies address societal needs through research, education and service. Today we are a Center that draws strength through our commitments to non-partisan and inclusive engagement with diverse and varied perspectives.
For readers of our annual report who may not know our history, CSTPR was initiated in the summer of 2001 and was recognized as an official University center in the summer of 2002 through the hard work of founding Director Roger Pielke Jr. Roger served as Director from 2001-2008 and again from 2013-2015. In between, Professor William Travis served honorably as Director from 2008-2013. The founding of CSTPR was made possible in part through the leadership of then-CIRES Director Susan Avery. (Susan has recently returned to CIRES and joined CSTPR in 2017 as a Faculty Affiliate (see page 43 for more.)) CSTPR has benefitted greatly from unwavering leadership from CIRES Directors Konrad Steffen (2005-2012) and Waleed Abdalati (2012-present), along with support from Graduate School Dean Ann Schmiesing and Research and Innovation Office Vice Chancellor Terri Fiez at CU Boulder.
Together, CSTPR has then served effectively as a resource for science and technology decision-making as we also work to build capacity among future science-policy scholars and practitioners.
As one example of capacity building, in 2017, four members of our CSTPR community stepped up into tenure-track appointments:
- former Research Scientist Katie Dickinson accepted an Assistant Professor position in the Colorado School of Public Health’s Environmental and Occupational Health department.
- former Research Affiliate (and former graduate student) Elizabeth “Bets” McNie (Ph.D. CU ENVS 2008) joined the California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA as an Assistant Professor.
- former Postdoctoral Researcher Jessica Rich joined the Communications and Environmental Studies departments at Merrimack College (Massachusetts) as an Assistant Professor.
- former Graduate Student Elizabeth Koebele (Ph.D. CU ENVS 2017) took up an Assistant Professor post in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada Reno.
This annual report contains many highlights emerging from robust collaborations, projects and partnerships. To me, these are indications of the great community of people –core faculty and affiliates, staff, visitors, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students – here in CSTPR. I am proud of our ongoing efforts and accomplishments while I aspire for us to achieve much more going forward. I hope you enjoy this report on our research, teaching and service in 2017.
Max Boykoff, Director
Annual Report [pdf]
