United States President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Agency overview
Formed September 30, 2001
Preceding agency
Headquarters 725 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Agency executives
Parent agency Office of Science and Technology Policy
Website President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

The United States President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) is a council, chartered (or re-chartered) in each administration with a broad mandate to advise the President on science and technology. The current PCAST was established by Executive Order 13226 on September 30, 2001, by President George W. Bush, and was most recently re-chartered by President Obama's April 21, 2010, Executive Order 13539.

History

The council follows a tradition of presidential advisory panels focused on science and technology that dates back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Science Advisory Board, continued by President Harry Truman. Renamed the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) by Dwight Eisenhower, it was disbanded by President Richard Nixon.

Reagan science advisor Jay Keyworth re-established a smaller "White House Science Council" It reported, however, to him, not directly to the President.[1] Renamed PCAST, and reporting directly to the President, a new council was chartered by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, enabling the President to receive advice directly from the private and academic sectors on technology, scientific research priorities, and mathematics and science education.[2]

Mission

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology mission is to provide advice to the President and the Executive Office of the President. PCAST makes policy recommendations in areas such as understanding of science, technology, and innovation. PCAST is administered by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Recent PCAST reports have addressed antibiotic resistance,[3] education technology (with a focus on MOOCs),[4] cybersecurity, climate change,[5] networking and information technology,[6] and agricultural preparedness, among many others.[7]

Members and structure

PCAST has been enlarged since its inception and currently consists of 18 members plus the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, who serves as the Council's Co-Chair. The council members, distinguished individuals appointed by the President, are drawn from industry, education, research institutions, and other NGOs. The council is administered by an Executive Director.

Current members include:

References

  1. Robert C. Cowan, "Reagan Adviser Keyworth on Administration's Science Policy", Christian Science Monitor, January 22, 1985.
  2. Elizabeth Pennisi, "Low-Key Start For Bush's Science Panel", The Scientist, March 5, 1990.
  3. "PCAST Releases New Report on Combating Antibiotic Resistance". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  4. Jim Gates; Craig Mundie; Shirley Ann Jackson (18 December 2013). "PCAST Considers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Related Technologies in Higher Education". The White House Blog.
  5. Weiss, Rick (22 March 2013). "PCAST Releases New Climate Report". The White House Blog.
  6. David Shaw; Susan Graham; Peter Lee (17 January 2013). White House Blog "PCAST Updates Assessment of Networking and InfoTech R&D" Check |url= value (help).
  7. "PCAST Documents & Reports". White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Retrieved 27 January 2014.

External links

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