Left out of the Room Where it Happens: Barriers to Serving in Senior Congressional Staff Roles May Limit “Representative” Science Policymaking

Abstract

Policymakers are expected to represent the constituents of their districts and states. Given that the individual life histories and experiences of congressional staffers may influence their attitudes and decisions, it is crucial to understand more about the people serving in these roles, their diversity, and which communities are and are not well-represented. By conducting interviews with twenty-six current and former senior legislative staffers in the United States House of Representatives and Senate involved in drafting science policy, this study examines challenges to acquiring and maintaining key positions in scientific policymaking at the federal level. The results shed light on why some individuals have an unequal advantage to obtain senior staff roles while others struggle to stay in Congress long enough to achieve elite legislative positions. They also suggest that a lack of opportunities for already marginalized communities may lead to inadequate representation in decision-making, especially on science policy issues related to justice and equity. Ultimately, this article makes policy recommendations to foster greater diversity in senior staff roles and to bring the perspectives of more Americans into the science policy decision-making process.