FABBS reports on items of interest to many communities – scientists, policymakers, and the public. In our news, you will see updates on science funding and policy, articles that translate research for policy, and descriptions of the research contributions of scientists at all stages of their research careers.
New Congress and Committee Membership Announcements
January 24, 2019
Members of the 116th U.S. Congress were sworn in to office on January 3, 2019. Taking the majority in the House, Democrats are now chairing House committees with Republicans serve as ranking members. Through a combination of retirements and losses, House Committees with jurisdiction over science have seen significant changes in leadership.
In the House, Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) moved from ranking member to chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce,
read morePartial Shutdown Continues, New OSTP Director Kelvin Droegemeier
January 24, 2019
At press time, the 2019 partial federal government shutdown entered its 34th day, making it the longest government shutdown in history. Without a clear end in sight, the behavioral and brain research community is feeling the consequences.
The National Science Foundation, a critical support for behavioral and brain research, is one of the agencies affected by the partial shutdown. NSF is able to accept applications online during the shutdown. However, NSF program officers
read moreFABBS Shares Activity Highlights with NASEM Board
November 16, 2018
On October 24th, FABBS Executive Director Paula Skedsvold spoke to The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences about FABBS advocacy and education activities. Her presentation, FABBS: Promoting the Sciences of Mind, Brain, and Behavior at the Federal Level, provided highlights for the Board about federal discretionary funding since the Budget Control Act of 2011; federal science funding for NIH, NSF,
read moreEvaluating (Mis)Information: Research to Identify Effective Strategies
November 16, 2018
What do voters need to go to the booth informed? How do people recognize when they have misconceptions? What skills do they need to evaluate sources for accuracy and legitimacy? It is more critical now than ever for citizens to know how to sift through information and recognize when it is accurate and objective.
Jason Braasch describes an “echo chamber,” in which people with misconceptions about an issue—perhaps built upon inaccuracies compiled over time—back
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