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About DBASSE
The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE)—one of six divisions within the National Academies—serves to advance the frontiers of the behavioral and social sciences and their application to public policy. Investigations address questions at the forefront of the national policy agenda, including:
- How do parents and teachers know if students are learning?
- How can businesses prepare for an aging workforce?
- What should parents look for in selecting child care settings?
- Why are there persistent racial and ethnic differences in health?
- What does the “cost of living” really mean and how can it be measured?
- Is the polygraph (“lie detector”) an effective tool in national security work?
- How can communication of the risk of terrorist attacks be improved?
Most studies are requested by the Congress or a federal government agency, although private industry, foundations, state and local governments, and the Academies themselves also sponsor activities. For each study, the Division identifies the expertise needed and call on the nation’s best experts to serve on the study committee.
Experts from academia, business, and government volunteer their services on study committees to provide independent, objective advice in a public report. Rigorous investigation, continuous oversight, and formal review ensure each report’s objectivity, quality, and adherence to the highest scientific standards. As a result, the Division’s reports are often highly influential in public policy making.
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