Science Policy - Tools to Get Involved!
Science communication and advocacy is important to all who care about making sure that decisions made at the highest levels of government are evidence-based. There are many ways that individual scientists can get involved. Here are some tools to help:
Outreach:
Research shows that by far the most effective way to influence your congressional representative is through personal outreach - especially visits and phone calls. All US citizens are represented in Congress and it is your right to have your voice heard. Use these tools to help!
- Get active during the inaugural Entomology Advocacy Week. In 2018 this was held on August 19-25 and a similar timeframe is expected for 2019.
- Follow up on an Action Alert
- Schedule a meeting with your representative. We have tools to help you request a meeting, learn what to expect in a congressional meeting, and communicate effectively with our talking points and communication tips or the sample scripts for science advocacy.
- Need more? How about a full overview - "Tips for Effective Meetings with Policymakers" (An AIBS document).
- Contact your Member of Congress using our online databases of Senators and House Representatives
- FAQs on science policy advocacy
Other Resources:
- ESA factsheets are a good conversation starter with members of Congress. Use them to help explain what an entomologist does, the importance of entomological research, or even specific policy topics, like IPM or gene drive.
- The ESA position statements provide a scientific resource to explain various topics to lawmakers.
- ESA has a one-page document that provides an overview of ESA and our priorities that serves as a nice resource to provide to lawmakers.
Volunteer:
- Writing committees
- Science policy committee
- Section science policy activities (SysEB, PBT, MUVE, or P-IE)
Feedback:
Let us know what is important to you! Submit your feedback on our science policy efforts here.