Science Policy & Advocacy 101
A Crash-Course in the Basics of Policy Communication for Scientists
Hosted by William Dean and Seth Wiley
Previously Hosted by William Dean and Edyta Sitko of the Union of Concerned Scientists (ComSciCon-Mi 2019)“Science policy is science communication in action -- a force for evidence-based government. But what exactly does science policy entail, and how do we engage with it?”
Science policy is an area of public policy concerned with science funding, dissemination of scientific findings to the public, and use of scientific evidence in government policymaking. Initially designed as an entry-level workshop for scientists at the 2019 Communicating Science Conference in Lansing, Michigan, the SPA 101 workshop is meant to give participants the tools to influence policy decisions as students and professionals. In this interactive session, participants will learn about the role of science in government, effective strategies for presenting scientific knowledge to policymakers, and ways to get involved with science policy efforts at the local and national levels.
The workshop covers the following basics:
- What is Science Policy?
- The 4 Questions for a Science Policy Message
- What is your story?
- Who are you talking to?
- What is your (policy) goal?
- What is the message?
- Delivering the Message in the right way
