Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

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Science, technology, and innovation policy shapes the science and research enterprise, with the goal of directing its activities to serve public needs. RAND experts have explored how to incentivize high-value products in the health care sector, examined government options for promoting and accelerating innovation in housing, and determined how to design "prizes" that spur breakthroughs.

  • A scientist holds biosensing materials being studied at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland, January 15, 2015, photo by U.S. Army

    Commentary

    Biotechnology and Today's Warfighter

    Biotechnology has a broad and often misunderstood scope, one with significant implications for today's warfighter, and it may be reaching a critical junction. As it continues to mature, proactive policy becomes necessary for the federal government to leverage emerging capabilities effectively and remain competitive.

    Oct 25, 2022

  • A woman using binoculars to look at the stars, illustration by GeorgePeters/Getty Images

    Essay

    What Might Space Look Like in 2050?

    It would not take huge technological breakthroughs to make space and space travel a much bigger part of everyday life. Instead, it would take a steady progression of incremental advances—and one development in particular could provide the tipping point.

    Jan 5, 2023

Explore Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

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    Commentary

    Before Redesigning the REF, a New Survey Could Help in Understanding What Is and Isn’t Working

    September's call for more sustainable and agile research funding signaled a renewed push by research-intensive universities in the UK for a funding and assessment system with a lighter touch. Before embarking on a further round of changes, it is important to listen and learn from researchers and managers about what has and has not worked well.

    Oct 6, 2020

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    Project

    Science, Technology and Innovation Research at RAND Europe

    Our researchers help clients understand how to maximize the gains that science, technology and innovation can bring to society and the economy, and how unintended consequences can be mitigated through effective regulation and stakeholder engagement.

    Sep 2, 2020

  • Toyota-backed self driving company Pony.ai begins to provide autonomous electric vehicles to deliver packages from local e-commerce platform Yamibuy during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Irvine, California, April 28, 2020, photo by Mike Blake/Reuters

    Commentary

    How States and Localities Might Approach Operational Design Domains for AVs

    An operational design domain (ODD) is a description of the conditions in which an autonomous vehicle is designed to operate safely. No nationwide ODD policy exists, but because ODD is partly about the characteristics of a specific location, state and local policies could be useful.

    Aug 20, 2020

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    Multimedia

    COVID-19 Briefing Series: Catalyzing Solutions for a Changed World

    Dean Susan Marquis discusses how the Pardee RAND Graduate School quickly pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, initiating a series of projects and partnerships to help communities directly respond to the crisis.

    Jun 11, 2020

  • Health care professional using a tablet with graphical images, photo by Cecilie_Arcurs/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How to Harness Technologies in the Fight Against COVID-19

    The pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis. But the response from science, technology, and innovation communities has been remarkable. It proves that innovation and learning, interdisciplinary methods and collaboration, information and data sharing, and adaptability are more important than ever.

    Jun 2, 2020

  • Dissertation

    Dissertation

    The Unforeseen Consequences of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Society: A Systematic Review of Regulatory Gaps Generated by AI in the U.S.

    Explores how artificial intelligence (AI) influences U.S. public policy, what gaps exist due to AI methods and applications and examines what trends and insights are emerging that can help stakeholders plan for the future.

    Jun 2, 2020

  • A ventilator that was modified to be used simultaneously by two patients at the Aga Khan university Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, April 9, 2020, photo by Baz Ratner/Reuters

    Commentary

    Innovations During COVID-19: Silver Lining or Threat to Patient Safety?

    We still don't know what works best to treat COVID-19. Some of the ideas and innovations are outstanding, but they are, so far, untested. There is an urgent need to evaluate ongoing innovations to learn what works and what doesn't, and what may have costs that are acceptable only under crisis conditions.

    Jun 1, 2020

  • Patrick Roberts on AI Regulation

    Multimedia

    How Should Artificial Intelligence Be Regulated?

    RAND's Patrick Roberts discusses important factors to consider in developing a set of norms for the regulation of artificial intelligence.

    May 20, 2020

  • Man writing programming code, photo by RossHelen/Getty Images

    Commentary

    COVID-19 Highlights the Shortcomings of America's Digital Infrastructure

    Much like America's aging physical infrastructure, America's digital infrastructure needs updating. To fix these urgent problems, local, state, and federal governments could turn to best practices used in the private sector to develop more reliable software.

    May 14, 2020

  • Facial recognition on a mobile device, image by Irina Shi/Adobe Stock

    Report

    The Benefits and Risks of Face Recognition Technology

    Face recognition technologies (FRTs) offer opportunities to improve identification efforts, but they also raise concerns about privacy and bias. Understanding the trade-offs between the utility and risks of FRTs is crucial for evaluating their adoption and implementation.

    May 14, 2020

  • The Care19 mobile app, developed by the State of North Dakota to assist in contact tracing during the global outbreak of the COVID-19, April 24, 2020, photo by Paresh Dave/Reuters

    Commentary

    Should Communities Be Concerned About Digital Technologies to Fight COVID-19?

    Personal smart devices offer an unprecedented opportunity to identify, track, map, and communicate about COVID-19. But apps could pose privacy and security concerns.

    May 13, 2020

  • Hand holding a light bulb with cogs inside, photo by ipopba/Getty Images

    Commentary

    The Future of Research Outputs

    The changing nature of research outputs has the potential to affect a wide range of organizations and people. A proactive stance could help drive research towards better practices in information storage, sharing and communication, but requires early action and shared goals at a sector level.

    May 12, 2020

  • A laboratory technician working on research for a vaccine against COVID-19 in Bern, Switzerland, April 22, 2020, photo by Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters

    Commentary

    Needed: A Blueprint for a Post-Vaccine World

    When a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, many in rich countries may be able to afford it while the poor and uninsured may not. The time to plan for equitable access, financing, intellectual property rights, and global production is now.

    May 11, 2020

  • Four hands holding magnifying glasses, photo by solidcolours/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It

    Evidence only has scientific meaning when it is part of a body of disciplinary knowledge produced by a community of scientists. Leading with scientific evidence, coupled with a wider values framework, may result in better outcomes for all.

    May 5, 2020

  • A Skyborg conceptual design for a low-cost attritable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), image by Air Force Research Laboratory

    Report

    Military Applications of AI Raise Ethical Concerns

    Artificial intelligence offers great promise for national defense. For example, a growing number of robotic vehicles and autonomous weapons can operate in areas too hazardous for soldiers. But what are the ethical implications of using AI in war or even to enhance security in peacetime?

    Apr 28, 2020

  • Hand holding light bulb and business digital marketing innovation technology icons, photo by ipopba/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Inventions Birthed by Necessity of Coronavirus

    If necessity is the mother of invention, the new coronavirus is quickly birthing a lot of innovations. Parts of U.S. society may be forever changed by this pandemic. The national emergency will eventually end, but the longer it lasts, the less likely that the pre-pandemic business-as-usual ways will return.

    Apr 20, 2020

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    Announcement

    $10 Million Gift from Family of Former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci to Support Pardee RAND Graduate School

    The RAND Corporation has received a $10 million gift from the family of former Secretary of Defense Frank C. Carlucci. The gift will support the Pardee RAND Graduate School, including naming the graduate school deanship.

    Apr 9, 2020

  • Ventilators are stored and ready to be used at ExCel London, during its conversion into the temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital to help tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, U.K., March 31, 2020, photo by Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

    Commentary

    The Pandemic Has Sparked Innovation, Offering Lessons We Must Not Forget

    COVID-19 has shocked the world and caught most countries unprepared, forcing them to improvise. But amid all the confusion and fear, the power of individuals, organizations, and communities to think differently and to innovate shows what can be achieved when people are united by common, clear priorities and necessity.

    Apr 1, 2020

  • A man texts on his mobile phone while waiting in line at dawn to register at Ifo refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, photo by Internews Europe/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

    Essay

    The Right Technology Can Help Refugees Stay Connected

    Nearly 71 million people globally are displaced by conflict and persecution. There have been some real advances in technology to help them, but innovations have often been fragmented, without a larger vision. A more strategic approach to technology could better serve their needs.

    Mar 11, 2020

  • A screenshot of a chart from the Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation

    Tool

    A Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation: Requirements for Developers and Funders: User Guide

    Since 2015, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative has published more than 20 reports identifying and prioritizing criminal justice needs for innovation. This product provides a database of all of the needs generated during the Initiative.

    Mar 5, 2020

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