Dr. Daniene Byrne
Senior Program Assistant
CSTEP/STEP
STEP and CSTEP welcomed Dr. Daniene Byrne as our Senior Program Assistant in January, 2023.
Dr. Byrne is dedicated to maximizing the potential of Stony Brook's CSTEP and STEP programs. She is available daily in the CSTEP lounge to support students and organize programs. Dr Byrne's background includes a Ph.D. in Technology, Policy and Innovation from Stony Brook CEAS. She also earned from Stony Brook's College of Arts and Sciences: a MACT Graduate Certificate in Media, Arts, Culture and Technology; a STRIDE Graduate Certificate in Science Training to Inform Decision Making; and a MAPP degree, Master of Arts in Public Policy.
Dr. Byrne studied public contributions to design for emerging self-driving vehicle technology and the effects of public input on technology policy making. She reasons,"The products we live with daily are the result not just of engineering design, but of the policy restrictions, incentives, and value choices that shape technologies we are exposed to on a regular basis. Therefore it is important to study how we attempt to control technologies that may have impacts we don’t yet understand, and which groups of society are involved in these dialogues."
Dr. Byrne's interests intersect fields of science and technology studies, technological design processes, administrative law, social justice, science communication, arts and technology, and public policy. Among her goals are maximizing STEP and CSTEP student potential, especially encouraging students to take advantage of Stony Brook's many resources and opportunities, from cutting edge research experiences, to career pathway preparation, to internship exploration. Dr. Byrne also brings many years of leadership service (library board and school board) and is a public education advocate.