Public Policy: Who Speaks for the Engineer

Because of the increasing importance and pervasiveness of scientific and technological factors in public policy decision, there is a growing need for involvement of engineers and scientists in the formulation and evaluation of public policy at all governmental levels. The scope and magnitude of the technological information and evaluation required in the formulation of public policy today suggests that the efforts of engineering and scientific societies must be augmented by efforts of individual engineers serving as advisors and voluntary consultants. A variety of mechanisms are available of engineers desiring to participate in public policy decisions: participation in public interest groups, service on technical task forces, providing information to the general public through public television and newspaper columns, development of information for use in science and current events classes in schools, and participation in legislative committee hearings.