a few recent graduates
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Environmental Studies
Geography
Geology

Jessica Lang, M.S.

Advisor: Roger Pielke, Jr., Environmental Studies
Funding: NOAA OGP RISA and CIRES

Connecting Science and Policy: Lessons Learned from 32 Science-Policy Assessments

This thesis focused on evaluating 32 assessments of various areas of science aimed at providing useful information to decision makers. The thesis characterized how different assessments were organized, who participated, how information was summarized and communicated, and evaluations of the assessments utility for decision makers. The thesis then applied the lessons learned from its review to the NOAA RISA Western Water Assessment and recommended strategies for how the Western Water Assessment might improve its role at the interface of science and decision makers.