Science Policy Writing Committees

Would you like to help shape the development of ESA’s science policy positions?

Writing committees draft the Society's Position Statements, issues of critical importance on which more scientific education is required. When the ESA Governing Board authorizes the drafting of a new statement, a Writing Committee will be formed. As part of that effort, ESA will occasionally recruit members with specific expertise to serve on writing committees to address selected policy-relevant scientific issues. Position statements help define the advocacy goals and advocacy boundaries for the Society, which enable ESA to respond consistently and quickly to rapidly changing policy developments.

What is the Writing Process?

The writing committees will be provided with staff support, additional background information, examples, guidance, and a timeline for concluding each statement. The process starts with a call for volunteer writers and an opportunity for members to submit comments on the topic. The committee works collaboratively to create a draft statement that is submitted to the ESA Science Policy committee. The committees may continue to edit and refine the statement which is ultimately presented to the ESA Governing Board for approval and formal adoption. Writing team volunteers should expect a time commitment that includes 1-2 hours in conference calls and up to 10 additional hours of assembling literature, drafting the statement, and revising (if requested).

How Do I Get Involved?

When new writing committees are formed, the Society will be contacted via eNews and/or the Science Policy Newsletter. A link will be made available on this page and on the position statement description page for a self-nomination form. Volunteers will need to fill out a nomination form and attach a current CV or résumé. Writing committee volunteers should have published studies in peer-reviewed journals on the position statement topic, be viewed as experts in their field by their scientific peers, have appropriate academic and/or industry credentials, and be willing to work within a team of writers to identify areas of consensus on nuanced topics.

As part of the writing process and to ensure all members have an opportunity to influence the process, each writing committee will have a means by which members may provide comments on the topics during the development of the statements.

ESA welcomes member suggestions for new topics to address. Please contact ESA HQ with your suggestions.

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