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Government Capacity
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If We’ve Learned Anything It is that Learning Agendas Bring Evidence into Policymaking

While it seems that the current political climate may not incentivize the use of evidence-based data sources for decision making, those of us who are passionate about ensuring results for the American people will continue to firmly stand on the belief that learning agendas are a crucial component to successfully navigate a changing future.

11.17.25 | 9 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
What’s Next for Federal Evidence-Based Policymaking

In recent months, we’ve seen much of these decades’ worth of progress erased. Contracts for evaluations of government programs were canceled, FFRDCs have been forced to lay off staff, and federal advisory committees have been disbanded.

11.13.25 | 6 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
A Research, Learning, and Opportunity Agenda for Rebuilding Trust in Government

At a recent workshop, we explored the nature of trust in specific government functions, the risk and implications of breaking trust in those systems, and how we’d known we were getting close to specific trust breaking points.

11.10.25 | 6 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
Trust Me: What’s a High-Trust Government Look Like?

What if low trust was not a given? Or, said another way: what if we had the power to improve trust in government – what would that world look like?

11.03.25 | 7 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
In Remembrance of Dearly Departed Federal Datasets

Datasets and variables that do not align with Administration priorities, or might reflect poorly on Administration policy impacts, seem to be especially in the cross-hairs.

10.31.25 | 4 min read
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FAS
Blog
November 2025: Science in the Shutdown

One month of a government shutdown is in the books, but how many more months will (or can) it go? Congress is paralyzed, but there are a few spasms of activity around healthcare and the prospects of a continuing resolution to punt this fight out until January or later.

10.29.25 | 7 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
Broken Trust in Government: Signals and Worst Case Scenarios

At a period where the federal government is undergoing significant changes in how it hires, buys, collects and organizes data, and delivers, deeper exploration of trust in these facets as worthwhile.  

10.27.25 | 18 min read
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Government Capacity
Blog
Blue Sky Thinking to Reimagine and Reinvigorate Government Effectiveness

Using visioning, world-building, scenario planning, and other foresight tools, participants set aside today’s constraints to design blue-sky models of a future American government.

10.21.25 | 13 min read
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Environment
Blog
Summer, Wrapped: The 2025 “State of the Heat”

With summer 2025 in the rearview mirror, we’re taking a look back to see how federal actions impacted heat preparedness and response on the ground, what’s still changing, and what the road ahead looks like for heat resilience.

10.15.25 | 9 min read
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Global Risk
Blog
Incomplete Upgrades at RAF Lakenheath Raise Questions About Suspected US Nuclear Deployment

Satellite imagery of RAF Lakenheath reveals new construction of a security perimeter around ten protective aircraft shelters in the designated nuclear area, the latest measure in a series of upgrades as the base prepares for the ability to store U.S. nuclear weapons.

10.10.25 | 9 min read
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State & Local Innovation
Blog
Gil’s Corner: September Sprinting and Webinar September 26

Getting into a shutdown is the easy part, getting out is much harder. Both sides will be looking to pin responsibility on each other, and the court of public opinion will have a major role to play as to who has the most leverage for getting us out.

09.25.25 | 13 min read
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Emerging Technology
Blog
Innovation Ecosystem Job Board Launches to Connect Federal Talent to Opportunities

Innovation Ecosystem Job Board connects scientists, engineers, technologists, and skilled federal workers and contractors who have recently departed government service with the emerging innovation ecosystems across America.

09.19.25 | 3 min read
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