About Us

About SciPol.org

SciPol.org is a non-partisan, public website dedicated to tracking and analyzing science and technology policy across a range of fields. We additionally offer resources to help individuals better engage with or find employment in science policy. We focus primarily on science policy from the United States federal government; we occasionally cover state or international policy in addition to voluntary policies or policy suggestions offered by industry, academic, and nonprofit entities. 

SciPol.org provides timely and quality information to a broad audience of academics, policymakers, businesses, journalists, nonprofits, and general members of the public. We deliver thorough, comprehensive, and accurate explanations of the latest science policy to better inform society about such policies that may eventually impact their daily lives. We do not offer policy suggestions, nor do we endorse or oppose any specific policy we discuss on the site. 

About Science & Society

The Duke University Initiative for Science & Society seeks to maximize social benefit from scientific progress by making science more accessible, just, and better integrated into society.

Advances in science and technology rapidly change the world we live in, shape our lives and culture, and raise myriad ethical, legal, and policy-related questions. The Duke Initiative for Science & Society examines these broad-ranging questions about the integral role of science in social institutions and culture.

Energy both unites and underlies all human activity. The discovery, extraction, distribution, conversion, and use of various forms of energy is the economic foundation of our global economy. Ultimately, the choices we make about energy are inextricably linked to our environment, human health and well-being, and the interaction of nations and populations around the globe.

In the Energy policy vertical at SciPol.org, we turn the spotlight specifically to new developments in industry, policy, and science that have a direct and intentional impact on the United States energy sector.

For the Energy Vertical, we also generally exclude the following types of policies:

• Congressional Resolutions
• Congressional Amendments
• Tax Law and Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
• Appropriations or Authorizations Bills
• Industry Annual Reports

Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity. Genomics is the analyses of an organism’s entire genetic makeup, which is called a genome. Genomics includes efforts to understand how genomes are organized and function, how they differ in subtle ways among individuals to influence health and disease risk, and how they interact with environmental or non-genetic factors, such as a person's lifestyle.

Nanotechnology is defined as science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is at the scale of about 1 to 100 nanometers, thousands of times smaller than the human eye can see. Nanoscience crosscuts all fields of the physical sciences including chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. Nanotechnology enables understanding, measurement, manipulation, and manufacture at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular (more complex) levels, such as by controlling new molecular organization, properties, and functions. These efforts enable the creation of novel materials, devices, and systems.

Neuroscience is the study of nervous system development, structure, and function. Much of neuroscience focuses on how the brain works, including how it dictates behavior and cognitive functions. Not only is neuroscience concerned with the normal functioning of the nervous system, but it also investigates what happens to the nervous system when people have neurological, psychiatric, or neurodevelopmental disorders.

SciPol.org covers the related fields of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in one vertical. Robotics is an interdisciplinary field combining computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering to design, construct, and operate robots. A robot, in this context, is a programmable machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically. Artificial intelligence refers to the development of machines capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human intelligence.

SciPol.org

Questions about the site? Recommendations for policies or science topics to follow? Want to get involved? Send us an email at scipol@duke.edu. You can also communicate with us on social media, either Twitter or Facebook.

Mailing Address:

Duke Initiative for Science & Society
Attn: Duke SciPol.org
Erwin Mill, Bay A, #201-205
2024 W. Main Street
Durham, NC 27705

Science & Society

Contact Science & Society for questions regarding events, educational programs, and other ways to get involved with Science Policy at Duke. You can also call (919) 668-0790 or email scienceandsociety@duke.edu. 

All original content on SciPol.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Please distribute our original content widely but give credit to Duke SciPol.org and the original author, linking back to the publication page if possible.

Original content includes: SciPol Summaries, SciPol Briefs, Policy Briefs, Landscape Explainers, Science Explainers, and Policy Explainers. Other items will be specifically, clearly labeled if they are original content from SciPol.org, in which case the above license term likewise applies. 

• capitol hill icon used for "Policy for Science" topic throughout website by ProSymbols from the Noun Project.
• Folder Lock icon used for "Data Security" topic throughout website by Vectors Point from the Noun Project.
• leaf icon used for "Environment" topic throughout website by marshmallow_cat from the Noun Project.