For more than a decade, Dr. Goldman has worked at the nexus of science policy in Washington, DC, directing independent analysis and advocacy on issues ranging from oil and gas development to federal scientific integrity to environmental justice and climate change, as Research Director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Through her work on the leadership board of 500 Women Scientists, Dr. Goldman has advocated for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields and works to address the historical and current misuse of science that worsens societal inequities and harms marginalized and underserved communities.
In 2021, Dr. Goldman started a position in the Biden-Harris administration, serving as the Assistant Director for Environmental Science, Engineering, Policy, and Justice at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Livestream of a Congressional Hearing for Protecting Human Health, the Climate, and the Environment.
Select Federal Science Policy & Advocacy Writing
- Goldman, GT, CE Ivey, F Garcia-Menendez, and S Balachandran. 2021. Beyond the Lab: Early Career Researchers May Find Purpose through Policy, Advocacy, and Public Engagement. Environ. Sci. Technol. 55 (5) 2720–2721 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c00495
- Kelly, ML; Reed, G; Goldman, GT; Carter, JM. 2021. Safeguarding against distortions of scientific research in federal policymaking. Environ. Law Rev. 51, 1 (2021). https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/uci-cleanr-rec.pdf
- Goldman, GT. 2019. Trump’s plan would make government stupid. Nature. June 20. 570, 417 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-019-01961-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01961-6
- Goldman, GT. 2019. Trump pulls a page from industry’s disinformation playbook. BMJ. March 8. Online at https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2019/03/08/gretchen-goldman-trump-pulls-a-page-from-industrys-disinformation-playbook/
- Goldman, GT, G Reed, and J Carter. 2018. Risks to Science-Based Policy Under the Trump Administration. Stetson Law Review. 47 (2) 267-293. https://www.stetson.edu/law/lawreview/media/VOL47-9.Goldman%20et%20al.pdf
- Goldman, G. 2016. Research Accountability Is Needed to Counteract Industry Subterfuge. New York Times Opinion. September 20. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/09/20/the-cost-of-corporate-funded-research/research-accountability-is-needed-to-counteract-industry-subterfuge
- Goldman, G; Carlson, C; and Varga, M. 2013. Shutdowns, Cuts, and Sequesters: Impacts to the Scientists Conducting Government Funded Research. The Journal of Science Policy and Governance. November. https://www.sciencepolicyjournal.org/special-issue-hot-topics-2013.html
Advocacy for Environmental Justice, Equity and Inclusion, and Support for Mothers in STEM
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Dr. Goldman has worked with and supported environmental justice communities by bringing science and policy expertise to support community knowledge and advocacy efforts.
- Goldman, GT, A Desikan, R Morse, C Kalman, T MacKinney, DS Cohan, G Reed, J Parras. 2021. Assessment of Air Pollution Impacts and Monitoring Data Limitations of a Spring 2019 Chemical Facility Fire. Environmental Justice. doi: 10.1089/env.2021.0030.
- White, R; Moore, Dryden, O; D; Roberts, M; Thomas, J; Johnson, C; Goldman, G. 2017. Environmental justice for Delaware: Mitigating toxic pollution in New Castle County communities. Union of Concerned Scientists, Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice, Community Housing and Empowerment Connections, Inc., Coming Clean. www.ucsusa.org/ejdelaware
Advocacy for Parents and Caregivers in STEM
In 2020, Dr. Goldman led a campaign to support parents and caregivers in STEM during COVID-19 through her role as the leader of the SciMom Journeys Team for the nonprofit 500 Women Scientists’ leadership board. The campaign sounded the alarm when support systems were pulled out from under parents and caregivers at the start of the pandemic, offered concrete recommendations to employers, university administrators and PIs, and helped women advocate for themselves through a partnership with the Society Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).
Dr. Goldman has contributed to several other policy and advocacy efforts around equity and inclusion in STEM fields and racial disparities in environmental pollution exposure and reproductive health outcomes.
