[By] incorporating ordinary citizens into the innovation process and fostering less linear, more dynamic innovation paths involving a more diverse array of experts—we can start to build a more just future for innovation, in which all truly benefit from new technologies."
Shobita Parthasarathy, "Can Innovation Serve the Public Good?" Boston Review, July 6, 2023
STPP in the Community
Bringing community wisdom into decisions about science and technology
Students, faculty, and staff influence science and technology policy throughout the year.
Students have opportunities for hands-on learning by meeting with policymakers and their staff members and working with community partners to support their advocacy and outreach. Faculty thought leaders regularly contribute to the public discourse through their research, writing, teaching, and congressional testimony.
Staff works with students and marginalized communities to elevate their voices in public and policy conversations about science and technology.
Our work in communities is centered on people and deeply involves our students, alumni, and community partners.
“Serving the needs of community partners through projects about technology and equity allows me to engage in what I care about most: grounding policy in the needs of the people it impacts. From tracking state-level AI legislation to supporting tools to detect bias in real estate contexts, I’ve been able to apply this focus to policies at the intersection of technology and housing.”
Nia Knox
MPP '25, STPP Student Researcher
Alumni spotlight
Featured Community Partner
Through policy memos and other publications, STPP works with our partners to anticipate the implications of emerging science and technology to inform their advocacy for more ethical and just policies.
Featured Publication
Community Partnerships Playbook: How to Create Equitable Partnerships between Technical and Community Experts
As the popularity of community engagement grows among technologists and academics, it is vital to ensure that they engage communities in ways that ben...
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STPP holds and sponsors events that engage community members (or leaders?), faculty, staff, and students as panelists and audience members.
Featured Event
STPP's Community Engagement in the News:
Congressional testimony
Shobita Parthasarathy: House Appropriations Committee-Strategies for Energy and Climate Innovation
Watch this House Appropriations Committee meeting featuring Shobita Parthasarathy's testimony. February 2021.
Watch the video
