Publications

America’s rising generations—the youth and young adults best positioned to meet the country’s growing need for STEM professionals—are on the front lines of recent and rapid policy shifts within the federally-funded research and higher education ecosystems. Attracting and supporting their training and development at a time when uncertainty is high and alternative pathways abound will require significant and sustained coordination across STEM sectors. Whether situated in formal and informal learning institutions, industry, government, or civil society, we must all come together to support, reform, and enhance our collective investment in the future leaders of STEM.

This report, developed as part of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program’s 2025 roundtable series, synthesizes insights from practitioners in K–12 education, higher education, science research, professional associations, science communication, and civic science.

How can sustainability leaders stay strategically relevant within their organizations?

Leaders must view AI adoption as a development opportunity to redefine how capability is built, focusing on outcomes and consciously reinvesting capacity freed by automation to ensure growth and resilience for both the business and its people.

This Q&A provides insights and lessons from the work of 11 CDFIs that participated in Shared Success, a job quality demonstration led by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP).

Findings from this survey reinforce the importance of job quality for employee satisfaction.

As leaders work to implement Trump accounts, Aspen FSP convened a series of roundtables to discuss how to make them work for the people who stand to benefit most. 

This piece is the first in a series. We will release additional briefs over the coming months that dive deeper into findings.