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Science for Every Mudder Overview

What is policy? Why is it relevant to me?

How can I get involved? Where do I learn more? A little about me

‘15 What is science policy?

Science for Policy: Applying scientific knowledge to solve social, legal, and/or governmental issues

Policy for Science: Funding, , and organizations which support scientific Advising Advocacy

Education Research science policy roles Diplomacy

Technical writing Program management

Source: CCST Science Policy guide, 2020 Examples of science for policy

COVID PANDEMIC

CLIMATE CHANGE Examples of science for policy

Science policy in a pandemic • Identifying policy options • Funding vaccine research • Predicting outcomes • Communicating to the public Identifying policy options Communicating to the public • Coordinating internationally • Aggregating current research

Predicting outcomes Examples of science for policy

See also: “Lucy Jones: Science Activation - How Do Morawska et al. Science 2021. We Get Our Science Used by Those in Power?” Prior Mudd Talk: Connecting Air Quality, COVID and Climate Change

Shelly Miller '86 recent article on ventilation for public health

Dr. Lucy Jones talk for AAAS: Science Activation – How Do We Get Our Science Used by Those in Power? Examples of science for policy

Census data privacy and accuracy Nuclear energy and nonproliferation Examples of policy for science

Federal R&D funding request, FY 2015 Inclusive to support all

Wikipedia: Science policy of the US The need for expertise

Federal: “[S]cience thrives when its advocates are shrewd politicians but suffers when its Wikipedia: List of US politiciansopponents with doctorates are better at politics.” - H. Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief, Science journals

State:

Eagleton Institute of Politics Mudders and science policy

Mission Expertise

Interdisciplinarity Community Where do I fit in?

There’s room for everyone! You have a lot to offer! • All degree and experience levels • Scientific knowledge is valuable • All areas of STEM • Data analysis is valuable • Any amount of time • Communicating well is valuable • Any career path • Time is valuable How can I get An hour? involved in A day? science policy? A week? A year? It depends how much time you have. A career?

[Credit: Erin Heath, AAAS] What can you do in an hour?

● Learn about an issue ○ Read articles ○ Watch a webinar ● Vote or register to vote ● Sign up for updates ○ AAAS Policy Alert ○ AAAS Science Insider ○ AIP FYI ● Look up your elected officials ● Contact your elected officials ○ Email ○ Social media ○ Call (this is the most effective way to contact your reps!) ● Meet your organization’s government relations representatives ● Check out your scientific society’s resources ● Follow science policy Twitter accounts What can you do in a day?

● Offer public comments ○ Resource for public comments ● Visit your Member of Congress ○ “Hill Days” / Visit Days of professional societies ● Learn about the budget ○ AIP Budget Tracker ● Edit Wikipedia articles ● March / Rally ● Attend a workshop ○ AAAS holds virtual workshops on science ○ Next: June 23rd, Communicating Science and Public Engagement Fundamentals ○ https://www.aaas.org/page/attend-workshop What can you do in a week?

● Write a letter to the editor or op-ed ● Attend a conference ○ AAAS Annual Meeting ○ National Science Policy Symposium ● Plan a campus visit for your elected officials ● Read a book ○ General science policy/ ○ Specific to your area of interest or expertise ● Write a policy memo ○ Publish it in the Journal of Science Policy and Governance What can you do with a year?

● Do a fellowship or internship ● Start or advise a science policy group ● Attend or teach a science policy course ● Serve on an advisory board or committee ● Run for public office Internships and fellowships

● AAAS Science & Policy Fellowships ○ For PhDs in STEM and MS in ● CCST Science Fellows Program ○ Also for PhDs or equivalent ● Other state and city fellowships ● Virtual Student Federal Service ○ For undergrads/grads ○ Application period July 1-31 NSPN Virtual Symposium

21 NSPN Science Policy Resource Guide Aggregated info on science policy conferences, fellowships, publications, and so much more 23 Other organizations supporting scientists in policy

● Engaging Scientists & Engineers in Policy

● Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally

● 314 Action Fund

● Professional societies ○ APS, ACS, AMA, AGU, ETC… … what about a lifetime?

● Start a science policy program ● Volunteer ○ AAAS On-Call Scientists ● Communicate your science ● Get a job in science policy CCST Report on Science Policy Careers

Find at ccst.us

Science Policy Careers

• Sample job titles: • Director of Policy Priya Donti ‘15 • Research/Policy Analyst Climate Change AI • Engineer/ • US Representative • Program Officer • Consultant Marie Kirkegaard ‘15 NASEM • Legislative Assistant

Tamara Savage ‘15 NSF HMC’s Office of Community Engagement

● https://www.hmc.edu/community-engagement/ ● Relatively new office on campus ● Student groups ○ Science Bus, Prison Education Project ○ Engineers for a Sustainable World / Mudders Organizing for Sustainability Solutions (ESW/MOSS) ○ Engineers Without Borders ● Social Justice Clinics ○ Arctic Ice Project, Sustainable Claremont ● Summer internship support ○ Nathaniel Davis Prize for & International Relations

● Director: Gabriela Gamiz, [email protected] Two suggestions

● Form a community of alumni in science policy

● Form a club for current students interested in science policy issues and career development Alumni Perspective

● Friday, May 28th, 3 PM PDT ● Using a STEM Degree for Public Good

● Featuring Tamara Savage ○ Engineering, Literature ’15 ○ Experience at NSF ○ Currently in Engineering & Public Policy doctoral program at Carnegie Mellon Takeaways

● “Science policy” encompasses the myriad ways in which scientific research shapes public policy, and vice versa

● Mudders have skills and expertise which are valuable and rare in the policy world

● There are a broad range of options to participate in science policy for people with all manner of backgrounds, interests, and time commitments Contact Email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn