The Institute for Science & Policy is changing the way a natural history museum engages in science. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science launched the Institute of Science & Policy in 2018 to work across divides and help solve our most complex challenges in not only Colorado, but nationally and globally. The Institute envisions a future in which all people honor our common humanity, and science has a respected seat at the public policy table. The Institute is non-partisan and does not advocate for specific policies.
There is power and possibility in cultural institutions taking on a larger role in society as trusted conveners and boundary spanners while promoting respectful discourse and elevating scientific thinking. One reason is because museums consistently rank as one of the top trusted institutions in the U.S. and serve as highly credible sources of information. Museums are increasingly becoming forums for community engagement across generations and political divides because they are viewed as expert, fact-based, and impartial. By leveraging the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s strong reputation as a trusted institution, the Institute for Science & Policy is expanding the organization’s reach and relevancy by bringing people together to connect, learn, and make progress on the important societal issues of today.
The Institute exists at the intersection of community engagement and a think tank. This means we center communities’ perspectives, experiences, and needs with ideas, thought leadership, and critical thinking. We do this work though convening, storytelling, and research. Our work is multifaceted and designed to bring people together to discover their hidden commonalities, understand their biases, and challenge ways of thinking, so we can work together to solve problems with solutions that benefit the many over the few. One of the most critical components of our work is recognizing the role of human nature while empowering individuals and communities to engage in difficult discussions. For a deeper dive into our guiding principles for science policy work, check out The Institute Compass, where we outline our mission, vision, values, and established guidelines and boundaries for our work in Colorado and beyond.
We use storytelling and research to inspire audiences about science by serving as a trustworthy source of information that isn’t tied to a political agenda. We seek to uplift the stories of folks who have not historically had seats at the policy table. Some of these stories are brought to life through our long-form narrative podcast, Laws of Notion. Each season tackles an issue in Colorado’s backyard – everything from the energy transition to water resources, from air pollution to historic wildfires. We also host speaking events and webinars to bring timely scientific information to inform decision-making in our daily lives.
Our Institute convenings are designed to enable diverse groups to address challenges in their community by using dialogue and deliberation, embedding scientific principles and cultural understanding into difficult conversations. The Institute provides tools, data, processes, and a safe environment for dialogue on policy issues involving science. For example, during past convenings, we invited subject matter experts to provide relevant historical and scientific contexts and have used case studies as examples of successes to learn from. Participants work to build trust, empathy, and maintain open to new ideas. Outcomes are shaped and designed by participants, who then take the ideas, connections, and lessons learned back into their communities to enrich further policy conversations. Past convenings have centered on decarbonization, the future of water, misinformation in media, and air quality.
The Institute is also taking a lead in developing a Colorado Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program to support the state legislature, providing legislators with direct access to scientists and technical experts. Simultaneously, the program will build the capacity of scientists and engineers, empowering them to actively participate in policy discussions and public service.
The Institute hopes to ignite a passion for science and policy across all segments of society. We strive to be a respected leader in Colorado – to set the standard for excellence in scientific engagement and policy dialogue.
For more information, check out our website institute.dmns.org and sign up for our monthly newsletter.