Advance Policy

Woods staff and researchers work in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento to inform and advance decisions based on Stanford's pioneering research on the environment and sustainability.

Business, government and NGO leaders turn to the Stanford Woods Institute for unbiased scientific data and cutting-edge decision-support tools. We connect research to action, informing development of policy and management practices and convening top scholars, experts and leaders on key sustainability issues to help find workable solutions. Public- and private-sector leaders looking to better understand and use science and innovation to address complex environmental issues can read our research briefs and solutions summaries subscribe to our newsletters and research briefs and collaborate with our affiliated scholars and experts. This increases the role of science in decision-making and leads to better environmental policies and management practices.

Dialogues and Workshops

Thought leaders and decision-makers can take advantage of a range of Stanford Woods Institute workshops and dialogs geared toward helping them develop workable solutions to pressing environmental challenges. From discussions of relevant new research to neutral collaborative forums with scientists, these events provide continuing education and professional development, networking opportunities and leadership and management skills.

Briefings and Webinars

In addition to producing Research and Policy Briefs about solution-oriented research, Stanford Woods Institute researchers and staff are available to provide briefings and webinars on recent findings as well as ongoing research and policy trends within our seven core focal areas. Woods experts can provide private briefings or speak to groups.

To learn more about our workshops and dialogs, or to request an in-person briefing or receive our written Research and Policy Briefs, contact:

Lea Rosenbohm, Associate Director, Policy & Engagement
Email: [email protected]

Policy Engagement opportunities for scholars

The Stanford Woods Institute's Washington, D.C., office connects Stanford experts and environmental research to the policy community. The D.C. office introduces Stanford scholars to policymakers, disseminates research to key policy communities, and positions Stanford scholars to serve as trusted science resources on a wide-range of environment and sustainability topics.

The office is here to serve as a resource to all Woods-affiliated faculty and researchers, and specifically facilitates Faculty Visits, Seminars or Uncommon Dialogues and D.C. Fellowships as described below.

Eligibility: Programs are open to Woods senior fellows, fellows and affiliates

Faculty Visits (short term; 1-2 days in D.C.)

Purpose: To assist faculty who wish to connect with policy- and decision-makers in D.C. to inform them about new research findings, provide expert advice on a pressing policy matter, or build and establish important stakeholder networks.

Available Resources: Funding for travel assistance; assistance organizing meetings and small briefings with key policymakers and stakeholders.

How to Apply: Visits are available throughout the academic year. Interested faculty members should contact Lea Rosenbohm at [email protected].

Seminars or Uncommon Dialogues

Purpose: To enable faculty to organize and host conferences in D.C. on policy-relevant environmental topics that will benefit from discussion and debate among researchers and policy experts.

Available Resources: Travel and conference expenses covered for Woods scholars and participants (on as-needed basis); assistance in all aspects of conference organization, including identifying and inviting participants, preparing agenda and other conference materials, securing location, etc.

Requirement: The topic of the Uncommon Dialogue must have the potential to produce solutions to a major global environmental challenge and must address an issue within the Woods core focal area or a cross-cutting issues relevant to one or more Woods priorities;

How to Apply: Interested faculty members should contact Lea Rosenbohm at [email protected].

Policy Fellowship (1 week visit)

Purpose: To allow faculty to further their research and outreach through one-week visits to D.C. A fellowship could be undertaken to: disseminate new research results or findings from a new paper; help formulate a new research project and develop a network of scholars and policymakers interested in collaboration; work with D.C. policy makers and experts on a current research project; or develop a network of policymakers and government funders who are supportive of a broader, longer-term research program.

Available Resources: Fellowships cover all travel, hotel and meal expenses; office space provided at the Stanford Woods Institute offices with Resources for the Future; assistance organizing meetings and small briefings with key stakeholders, including roundtable discussion with RFF Senior Fellows; honorarium of $2,000.

Requirement: The Fellowship must address an issue within a Woods core focal area or a cross-cutting issue relevant to one or more Woods’ priorities.