Winter 2026
Policy Wonk: Fundamental Research
Led by Kyra Arnett and Professor David Ribes
Science policy refers to the set of guidelines, principles, and legislation that governments (and organizations) develop to regulate the practices and outcomes of scientific practice (whether new, such as AI, or old, such as standards for informed consent).
This Directed Research Group (DRG) will focus on tracing science policy: Where does it come from and what are its influences? Our key goal will be to research and then design visualizations that help to make sense of policy. In the lingo of Washington DC, we are 'policy wonks'.
Our focus this year will be on one regulatory concept, “fundamental research”, a category that defines that kind of research circulates freely in publication, or restricts that research for national security purposes. Fundamental research is about ‘scientific openness’, and also what is not.
This DRG will have a handful of required assigned readings to help us understand 'what is policy', but it is primarily about design, and public communication. We will research and then create accessible visualizations that help everyday people (and other wonks) to understand the arcane worlds of policy.
In your application, please describe your past experience doing research and design, and let us know if you have experience with policy, law, and other forms of governance. Students need not have experience with policy; we will learn about it together, and we will provide many handholds and starting points for the research.
Enrollment information:
- Meeting time: Thursdays, 1:30-3:20
- Credits: 2 (or, talk with the Professor)
- Who should apply: We are looking for 6-8 undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in researching and learning more about the relationship between science and policy.
- To apply: Fill out this application form (We will begin reviews on 12/22)
- Anticipated notification date: December 29 (and then rolling acceptances)
- Questions: Reach out to Professor David Ribes (dribes@uw.edu) and Kyra Arnett (knarnett@uw.edu)