Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics at GAO: September 2022 Update
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
Sept. 7, 2022 |
| Release Date |
Sept. 7, 2022 |
| Report No. |
GAO-22-900426 |
Summary:
STAA by the Numbers
STAA's interdisciplinary STEM expertise provides Congress with timely and relevant analysis of complex science & technology (S&T) issues. Since the team's founding in 2019 it has...
Issued 46 foresight-oriented assessments and short-form explainers on S&T issues
Testified 10 times on S&T issues and provided S&T support for 25 other GAO S&T-related testimonies
Issued 28 audit reports with 147 recommendations, 36 of which agencies have implemented
Provided engineering sciences insight for 78 GAO reports
Worked with 23 Congressional committees
Leveraged expertise of 280 leading experts in 19 of our technology assessments
Collaborated on 2 jointly-issued reports with the National Academy of Medicine, with another in progress
Spoke at more than 420 external events
Grew staff from 49 people in fiscal year 2019 to 129 people in July 2022
Staff collectively hold 100 advanced STEM-related degrees, including 32 PhDs as of July 2022.
STAA Key Milestones
Pre-2019: GAO issued technology assessments for nearly two decades.
2019: STAA established and began to expand. First joint report issued with the National Academy of Medicine. First STAA testimony on S&T issues. Innovation Lab founded.
2020: First Polaris Council annual meeting. First joint S&T report with another GAO team. Innovation Lab staffed.
2021: Artificial Intelligence Accountability Framework issued. Team reaches 116 staff.
2022: Improper Payment Integrity Simulator deployed. Team expects to reach 149 staff by September 2022.
2023: Continue collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to support technology assessment. Team expects to reach 165 staff.
STAA's Plans
Looking to fiscal year 2023, we will focus on a number of S&T issues that will impact our nation. Forthcoming work includes emerging infectious diseases; artificial intelligence applications; nutritional science and equity; energy, environment, and transportation; U.S. manufacturing and supply chain; national research policy, security, and evaluations; and national and homeland security S&T capabilities.
We will also continue to provide innovative ways to more efficiently and effectively communicate with Congress and the federal S&T community through just-in-time technical consultations and externally focused writing or speaking events.
For more information, contact Timothy Persons at personst@gao.gov and John Neumann at neumannj@gao.gov.
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