SIOP in Washington: Behavioral Science Executive Order

Seth Kaplan and Laura Uttley

 SIOP in Washington: Expanding the Impact of I-O Across the Federal Government

Seth Kaplan, George Mason University, and Laura Uttley, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC

We are excited to share with you information about SIOP’s efforts to build its identity in Washington, DC to support federal funding for I-O research and use our research to help guide policy discussions.  Each quarter we will report to you on new advocacy activities as well as our analysis of the role of I-O psychology in significant federal or congressional initiatives, such as the annual appropriations process and emerging national initiatives.  We are excited about our progress and look forward to working with you as we pursue these important goals!

White House Issues Social and Behavioral Science Executive Order,
 Promotes Social and Behavioral Sciences Team

On September 15, President Obama issued an Executive Order, “Using Behavioral Science Insights to Better Serve the American People.”  The Executive Order directs federal agencies to integrate the social and behavioral sciences in federal decision making to improve the accessibility, usability, and effectiveness of federal programs and policies for both federal employees and the general public.  The Executive Order also directs agencies to deepen relationships with the social and behavioral science community and institutionalizes the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (SBST) within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

SBST was assembled in 2014 within OSTP and consists of a cross-agency group of experts in applied behavioral science that is charged with translating findings and methods from the social and behavioral sciences into improvements in federal policies and programs.  SIOP Fellow Lori Fosterserved on the inaugural SBST, applying her knowledge and experience as an I-O psychologist to the challenges explored by the team.  The Executive Order highlights the team’s work by directing agencies to adopt recommendations and suggestions from the SBST annual report, which was released and discussed at a forum coinciding with the Executive Order announcement.

SBST also launched a websiteon September 15, encouraging institutions and individuals interested in promoting social and behavioral science applications to collaborate with the team by registeringas a supporter.  Over the next year, SBST plans to launch 20 new projects, enhancing and spreading the visibility of social and behavioral sciences across the federal government. Projects range from improving unemployment insurance programs and supporting career preparation for military spouses to streamlining government forms for enrolling in benefits programs and ensuring children’s access to nutritious, low-cost or free lunches.   

SIOP continues to position the Society and its members to collaborate with SBST and encourage full implementation of the Executive Order across the federal government.  Through ongoing government relations initiatives, SIOP further promotes the impact of social and behavioral science, specifically I-O psychology, to address some of the nation’s most pressing needs.