Wednesday

Wednesday, Jan. 13

9:00AM Networking and Open Discussion (optional)

9:30AM AAAS Workshop on Engaging Policymakers

Note this session will meet via GoToWebinar. Stay tuned for details.

This session illuminates the policy landscape, illustrating where and how policy happens and the many roles scientists and engineers can play in decision-making. Using the AAAS Public Engagement framework as a guide, participants develop an individual engagement goal, strategically identify a target audience and identify key ideas around which to center conversations. Facilitators guide participants through thinking critically about mechanisms for engaging policymakers, encouraging dialogue and evaluating their activity to inform future engagements. Participants analyze a real-world example that informs their engagement plans.


Stacey Baker

Stacey Baker is a public engagement program associate for the American Association for the Advancement of Science Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology. Staceycoordinates AAAS Family Science Days at the AAAS Annual Meeting, facilitates Communicating Science workshops, and supports other Center programs. Prior to joining AAAS in 2016, Staceyreceived her Master’s in Biology (American University) with a thesis in the evolutionary genetics of red shouldered soapberry bugs and a Bachelor’s in Zoology (SUNY Oswego). She went on to study molecular biology at the National Institutes of Health and then taught biology courses at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. When not talking to Lyft drivers about scicomm, she can be found climbing rocks, reading in a park or checking out the best coffee and pastries she can find in DC!




10:45AM The COVID-19 Vaccine: A Policy Simulation

Attendees participate in a policy simulation in which they have to take on specific roles and collaborate towards a collective policy decision. This year, the topic will be related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Attendees will consider scientific evidence as well as political implications as they negotiate an outcome.

5:00PM UVA Science Policy Initiative Journal Club

In this week’s meeting of our bi-weekly Journal Club, we will discuss TWO state-level topics on Energy and Health, respectively! First, we will briefly discuss the new Clean Economy Act signed into Virginia law last year. Second, we will discuss the ongoing debate in VA over creating a licensing/certification system for naturopathic practitioners in the state.


Bonus for those of you joining us from the bootcamp - these will be the two issues we will focus on in the "Overcoming Bias in S&T Policymaking” workshop on Friday, so this will be great preparation to get the most out of that session!


Please briefly prepare for discussion on both topics - check out the reading guide here!