405. Policymaking Is Not a Science (Yet)

Dana Susskind, a physician scientist specializing in cochlear implants, John List, an economist focused on field experiments, and Patty Chamberlain, a science director in child welfare, tackle why innovative solutions often fail to scale in education and health. They discuss the 'magic sauce' for effective real-world application and the challenges of translating research into policy. The trio emphasizes improving parent-child interactions in early childhood and the necessity of rigorous implementation science in policymaking to enhance outcomes for disadvantaged communities.