Policy Committee

Committee Charge

The Policy Committee, originally established in 1977 and renamed in 2024, is responsible for ongoing consultation to SRCD regarding its activities in the following areas:

1. Supporting implementation of SRCD’s strategic plan,
2. Linking research with global, national, and state/local policies that affect children and families,
3. Keeping membership apprised on policy to inform science,
4. Informing governmental decision-making regarding research on child development,
5. Encouraging the development of leaders in the translation of research to policy and practice, and
6. Enhancing the effective dissemination of developmental science.

The committee works through direct participation in activities and through close consultation with the SRCD Policy Director. In order to carry out this responsibility, the committee is organized in the following subcommittees:

• Fellowship: Assist with the annual selection of the SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship program.
• Science Policy: Inform decision making on funding levels for research on child development, how science is conducted (e.g., human subjects and clinical trial regulations), and opportunities for future research. Ensure that developmental researchers are kept informed of science policy issues that are relevant to their ability to conduct research. For example, this work may include attending advocacy days on Capitol Hill, nominating SRCD members to distinguished federal positions and committees, and joining with other scientific societies on joint actions.
• Social Policy: Increase the visibility and impact of developmental research for example, by providing brief summaries of key research for policymakers through the Child Policy Briefs program. Provide support and input on the Child Policy Connect program, to facilitate greater networking and relationship building between scholars and policymakers. Keep members appraised of relevant policy knowledge and training to improve partnerships between scholars and policymakers. 
• Conference: Facilitate relationship-building connections between SRCD members, policymakers, and practitioners at SRCD meetings, and build the discipline’s policy capacity through regular trainings. 

Committee Roster