Editing Science policy (section)

{{short description|Form of policy}}
{{Science|expanded=Society}}
[[File:283.002-Erkennen-en-Waarderen-Position-Paper EN web.pdf|thumb|Graphical summary of a position paper on proposed changes to science policy in the Netherlands around academic incentive and reward structures]]
'''Science policy''' is concerned with the allocation of resources for the conduct of science towards the goal of best serving the public interest. Topics include the [[funding of science]], the careers of [[scientist]]s, and the translation of scientific discoveries into [[technological innovation]] to promote [[commercial product development]], [[Competition (companies)|competitiveness]], [[economic growth]] and [[economic development]]. Science policy focuses on knowledge production and role of knowledge networks, collaborations, and the complex distributions of expertise, equipment, and know-how. Understanding the processes and organizational context of generating novel and innovative [[science]] and [[engineering]] ideas is a core concern of science policy. Science policy topics include [[weapons development]], [[health care]] and [[environmental monitoring]].

Science policy thus deals with the entire domain of issues that involve science. A large and complex web of factors influences the development of science and engineering that includes government science policymakers, private firms (including both national and multi-national firms), [[social movement]]s, media, [[non-governmental organization]]s, universities, and other research institutions. In addition, science policy is increasingly international as defined by the global operations of firms and research institutions as well as by the collaborative networks of non-governmental organizations and of the nature of scientific inquiry itself.