About BHEW

Preparing and sustaining our nation’s science and engineering workforce is the foundation for our global leadership in science, medicine, and technology and our global economic competitiveness. Our leadership in these areas allows the United States to remain at the forefront in the creation of new knowledge and innovation and contributes to our nation’s goals in national security, energy, space, health care, and the economy.

At the National Academies, the Board on Higher Education and Workforce (BHEW) provides policymakers, business executives, and academic leaders with insights and recommendations on key issues on human resources for science and engineering. Grounded firmly in data analysis, BHEW’s studies address important real world concerns, focusing particularly on the graduate education and careers of doctoral scientists and engineers; the education and labor market for the broader science and engineering workforce; and increasing participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

BHEW focuses the expertise of scientists, engineers, educators, and economists on the assessment of important issues and the formulation of policy recommendations for key audiences:

      BHEW responds to requests from the U.S. Congress and Federal agencies for analysis of critical science and technology workforce needs.

      BHEW provides the academic community with a rigorous assessment of issues in higher education. The decadal assessment of the quality
      of doctoral programs in the sciences, engineering, and humanities is of tremendous interest to this community.

      BHEW assists industry by exploring emerging issues that are impacting the workforce today and in the future.

      BHEW responds to the concerns of the philanthropic community with regard to graduate education and the health of the science and
      engineering workforce.

BHEW studies are carried out by ad hoc study committees composed of national experts with subject matter and methodological expertise.  The committees use a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques to gather information and develop findings: literature reviews, primary and secondary data collection, statistical analysis, public workshops, committee briefings, surveys, focus groups, and interviews.  Study committees develop conclusions and recommendations through a consensus process that leads to a book-length study report disseminated to key stakeholders and audiences.