NASEM Social & Behavioral Sciences

Find discussions and presentations from the Roundtable on Population Health Improvement's workshop on housing as a social and economic driver of population health—highlighting how affordability, policy, and neighborhood conditions influence outcomes across the life course, and the need for cross-sector solutions. Speakers reflected on policy dynamics across local, state, and federal levels, such as zoning, housing supply, and financing. https://ow.ly/REZW50Z4JGT

Early career investigators with a portfolio of research that informs criminal justice decision making and public policy are invited to apply for the Mark Kleiman Innovation for Public Policy Memorial Lecture. The selected awardee will receive a $3,000 stipend and travel to the National Academies in Washington, D.C. to present at the fall 2026 meeting of the Committee on Law and Justice. Mark Kleiman was a policy analyst and teacher. His career was grounded in a paradox: he valued objective truth above all, but he applied his skills to the inherently subjective, messy task of designing policies in the public interest.  Kleiman was fond of novel, counterintuitive, and contrarian ideas – the type of work in which early career professionals are rarely encouraged to engage. In this spirit, the award is intended to identify scholars with innovative ideas for public policy, irrespective of the candidate’s publication record. Apply by July 15, 2026: https://ow.ly/ctfc50Z18rP #PublicPolicy #CriminalJustice #LegalSystem

Congratulations Salil Vadhan! Vadhan serves on the Committee on National Statistics https://lnkd.in/ekeFjsPS

Congratulations Elizabeth A Phelps! Phelps chairs the Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences  https://lnkd.in/e7d3jubf

Looking for a window into cutting-edge science? Join us for the #NAS163 Annual Meeting Research Briefings on April 25, where newly elected #NASmembers will give short, accessible talks on: 🌏 When India Crashes into Eurasia: Faults, Rising Mountains, and Giant Earthquakes 💬 The Cellular Biology of Words 🤖 Computational Foundations of Modern Robotics 💊 Humanizing Drug Discovery 🧠 Thinking Different and Collective Intelligence 🌿 The Hidden Language of Plants: How Genome Evolution Drives Chemical Diversity Register now for the live webcast: https://lnkd.in/ezw8MRXn

How can traumatic brain injury shape mental health—and what can be done to improve care? On May 11-12, a virtual workshop from the Forum on Traumatic Brain Injury will explore links between TBI and conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, examining underlying pathways, challenges in care delivery, and opportunities to strengthen screening, treatment, and access. Discussions will bring together perspectives across civilian, military, and veteran systems to identify practical solutions and research priorities to better support individuals with TBI and their families. Register here: https://ow.ly/LzQH50YJ2Ze

How are federal agencies moving from experimentation to implementation with generative AI? Join us April 30 for AI Day for Federal Statistics to explore how government agencies are developing policies, building workforce capacity, and applying AI tools to meet evolving data needs. Learn more on the event page. Workshop sessions will examine a range of applications—from productivity tools and document summarization to code development and statistical production—alongside broader considerations for modernizing the federal workforce and improving efficiency. Register here: https://ow.ly/w84y50YGKgw

How can digital tools better support youth mental health? A National Academies leadership summit brought together experts across technology, health care, education, policy, and youth communities to examine the digital tools that youth turn to for support. Speakers discussed how digital interventions can support prevention, extend care, and strengthen connections among youth, families, and providers—while emphasizing the importance of designing with youth, building trust, and aligning innovation with real-world systems. Check out the presentations and discussions here: https://ow.ly/R8Ig50YEwSQ

Strong, transparent research practices are essential to advancing knowledge and maintaining trust in science. Join us for the hybrid workshop Enhancing Scientific Integrity: Progress and Opportunities in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, on April 23 - 24. This The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convening will bring together leaders across the research ecosystem to explore strategies for strengthening data integrity, improving accountability, and supporting rigorous, transparent research practices. View the agenda and register now: https://ow.ly/rnRv50YBY1r #ScientificIntegrity #Research #BehavioralSciences

When an infant dies suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States, it is necessary to balance the investigation by law enforcement, the scientific search for the cause of death, and the care of bereaved parents, family members, and other caregivers. Join us for a workshop on April 21 to examine law enforcement, clinical, and public health responses to sudden, unexpected infant death. This workshop will include an overview of sudden, unexpected infant death and how such deaths are investigated; examine limitations of the current system; consider how these deaths are handled internationally; and identify best practices for approaching sudden, unexpected infant death. Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/atXv50YBNHb #SUID #SIDS #InfantHealth #PublicHealth #LawEnforcement #LegalSystem