Please join us in “A Day For Science” where we will empower Hoosiers with the tools they need to ensure science serves our community and the common good! Enjoy our diverse panel of guest speakers as they discuss the intersection of science and society, then explore our expo of local science advocacy groups and find out how you can make a difference in your community today! We will be holding science communication training for scientists, science advocacy training for all Hoosiers, voter registration training for everyone, and engaging science exhibits for all ages!
The Four Corners Science, Policy, and Public Lands Symposium will be held in Fall 2019 in Gunnison, Colorado. The symposium will explore in depth how scientists, politicians, and agencies are collaborating on current science policy issues related to land management in the American Southwest. This conversation aims to generate political awareness of and inspire action toward addressing the priorities of communities in the region, while exploring how collaborations can become more engaging, transparent and expansive.
Discussing Science Based Policy
Many environmental changes are already irreversible; in the face of this permanence, it becomes critical not only for politicians to commit to science-based policy, but for members of younger generations to promote this policy awareness. In this project, graduate and undergraduate students come together to urge presidential candidates to elaborate on and defend their science-oriented environmental policies. The students then provide policy writeups and definitions for the general public through online and print media.
The Scholars Strategy Network is an organization of university-based scholars who are committed to using research to improve policy and strengthen democracy. With Science Debate's support, Scholars Strategy Network will support science researchers in writing and publishing opinion pieces in the media. This project aims to elevate science policy in the 2020 conversation and ensure that the public debate around science policy is evidence-based.
At Science Connected, journalists and scientists work together to share scientific research in a way that everyone can understand. Thanks to Science Debate, our team is providing original coverage of science policy issues that impact us all. The results are in-depth, investigative, accurate, and accessible to the public free of charge. Visit our website for research-based reporting on topics such as systematically addressing the effects of climate change, clean energy research and development, and present and future shortages of fresh water.
State Science and Technology Institute
SSTI's Innovation Advocacy Council has set a goal of cultivating new science policy champions, in part by working with science-related organizations throughout the country to communicate the value of science and innovation to their congressional delegations. Through this project and with Science Debate's support, SSTI will develop a consistent communications toolkit with key talking points and materials for those organizations to use with their delegations.
The Center for Rural Affairs will track 2020 Iowa caucus candidates and their responses on clean energy and climate, while also conducting a media campaign featuring individual advisors and the unique perspective they bring. CFRA seeks to expand the number of rural citizens committed to voting for clean energy candidates and advocating for policy change.
March for Science Iowa, in collaboration with the Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will host an Iowa Science Issues Forum, featuring two panel discussions. In the first, leaders in science education, agriculture, the environment, technology and related areas will discuss what science issues are important to Iowans and what they want to hear from candidates. The second discussion will feature Iowa political reporters discussing how science issues surface in the campaign and how Iowans can ensure candidates take positions on these vital subjects.
Climate Debate is a non-partisan briefing highlighting what the 2020 presidential candidates are saying about climate change and environmental science along with relevant links to their speeches and coverage of their campaign events. The series will be a great way for voters to learn more about the Democratic presidential candidates and how much each lets environmental science shape their views. Climate Debate will be syndicated on politicalwire.com as well as the Daily Kos.
Funding from Science Debate will be used to organize a series of workshops for women scientists in the 500 Women Scientists network to build effective communication skills, from writing press releases and building working relationships with local media ecosystem. Collectively, these trainings will also offer women scientists the skills to effectively engage political candidates on science issues.
Engaging Scientists in Policy and Advocacy (ESPA) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
Funding will be used to support the 2019 Washtenaw County Consensus Conference, a community discussion on reliable access of clean water for health, livelihood, and production. This conference will gather a representative sample of community members from around Washtenaw County, give them information on the issues, let them directly talk with relevant experts, and then allow them to give their recommendations to policy makers. This process is unique in that it creates a structured, interactive dialogue between experts and the community, empowering citizens to make informed statements on the issues directly affecting them.