The Graduate Certificate in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) is offered by the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). The program has strong ties with the Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (C-PREE) and the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) at SPIA.
Many aspects of science and technology policy debates have been tackled with the tools of political, economic, and behavioral analysis. In addition to providing a systematic introduction to the field of policy analysis, the goal of the STEP certificate is to help students develop a deeper understanding of current scientific, technological, and environmental issues and potential local, national and international policy responses. The program provides interdisciplinary training that facilitates communication between technical experts and policy makers.
Increasing numbers of students have a primary interest in environmental science and technology policy, including global climate change, air pollution, negotiated environmental accords, biodiversity, environmental economics, environmental justice, cybersecurity, data privacy, the digital divide, machine learning, and online content moderation. Research in these areas and others such as vaccine policy and nuclear-weapons policy is facilitated by the program's ties with the High Meadows Environmental Institute; the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment; the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Geosciences, Architecture; and the Program on Science & Global Security.