Vision
We envision a future where wise science and technology policy will help every American live in a safe and clean environment, enjoy good health and education, and benefit from a strong system of national defense. Scientists and Engineers for America is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to advancing these goals through the electoral process.
Mission
SEA works to promote evidence-based decision making in politics and at all levels of government by:
- Raising the level of debate on science and policy in elections and beyond;
- Encouraging people with training in science and engineering to run for office;
- Facilitating the participation of scientists and engineers in politics and civic life; and
- Providing timely information on the science policy positions of elected officials and candidates for elected office.
SEA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Beliefs
The scientists, engineers, and concerned citizens who comprise SEA are united by shared values and beliefs that guide all of SEA’s work. SEA believes in:
- Good Government
- Scientists know how to test theories, how to tell fact from fiction, and how to hold one another accountable. Smart leadership and policy should depend on similar processes.
- Open Debate
- Vigorous and evidence-based debate improves government policies, just as it improves scientific theories. Excessive secrecy protects ideologues and incompetence.
- Competent Leadership
- Public officials serve their communities well when their own deeply held convictions are informed by and tested against objective data and when their personal convictions do not distort their obligations to their constituents.
- Political Participation
- An educated, questioning, and engaged citizenry is essential for successful democracy.
The principal role of the science and technology community is to advance human understanding. But there are times when this is not enough. Scientists and engineers have a right, indeed an obligation, to enter the political debate when the nation’s leaders systematically ignore scientific evidence and analysis, put ideological interests ahead of scientific truths, suppress valid scientific evidence, and harass and threaten scientists for speaking honestly about their research.
–Dr. Henry Kelly, Board Chair
