David Guston is widely published and cited on research and development policy, technology assessment, public participation in science and technology and the politics of science policy. Guston is the founding director of the School for the Future of Innovation in Society where he is co-director of the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes. He serves as the director of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society, which is dedicated to studying the societal aspects of nanoscale science and engineering research and improving the societal outcomes of nanotechnologies through enhancing the societal capacity to understand and make informed choices.

His book, "Between Politics and Science: Assuring the Integrity and Productivity of Research" was awarded the 2002 Don K. Price Prize by the American Political Science Association for best book in science and technology policy.