UC Irvine GPS-STEM

Graduate Professional Success for PhD students and Postdocs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Syllabus/Schedule: Science Policy and Advocacy for STEM Scientists

 

 

Public Policy Prep (P3) Program of UC Irvine 

Science Policy & Advocacy Certificate Program for STEM Scientists

Every other Monday at 3:00 PM PST /6:00 PM EST 

June 29, 2020 – October 26, 2020  

Course description

University of California, Irvine’s Public Policy Prep (P3) program (previously supported by BWF) is thrilled to unveil an online course in science policy and advocacy for STEM scientists (PhD students & postdocs) with a focus on learning basic skills and concepts, as well as identifying concrete ways to transition into careers in these areas. To showcase the value of science communication for STEM scientists in promoting effective policy change, this course is organized in conjunction with the Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) and UCI’s Ridge to Reef. Similarly, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) will provide strategies for effective communication by which STEM scientists can engage in public policy and advocacy. Overall, the course will incorporate lectures on various topics in science policy and advocacy, workshops for developing communication skills, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to sharpen skills in these fields. 

Activities 

  • Listen to GPS-STEM Radio – Science Policy Podcasts to learn about science policy careers
  • Construct science policy pitch for policymakers
  • Write blog post on improving the research enterprise
  • Design advocacy one pager document for policymakers
  • Craft a power mapping plan on your topic of interest for policymakers

Outcomes

  • Build expertise in giving a science policy pitch to policymakers
  • Grow your network among peers and other science policy experts 
  • Perform informational interviews (GPS-STEM Radio-Science Policy Podcast) with science policy professional
  • Learn fundamentals of science policy and advocacy from various resources

Certificate in Science Policy

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Certificate Program Coordinators, Organizers & Collaborators

Coordinators

Please direct your queries to coordinators via SciPolUCIrvine@gmail.com

Organizers

  • Harinder Singh, PhD

Program Director, Graduate Professional Success in STEM at UC Irvine (LinkedIn)

  • Adriana Bankston, PhD

          Chief Outreach Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) (LinkedIn)

  • Melissa Varga 

          Community Manager and Partnerships Coordinator, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) (LinkedIn)

Collaborators

  • The Public Policy Prep (P3) program of GPS-STEM at UC Irvine (supported by Burroughs Wellcome Fund) prepares PhD students and postdocs for a variety of careers within the STEM research workforce, and empowers them to become skilled researchers but polished professionals. The program works to create, identify and support innovative approaches to broaden graduate and postdoctoral training in STEM. Visit https://sites.uci.edu/gpsbio and follow @BiomedGps on Twitter to learn more. 
  • The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is a nonprofit organization and open-access, peer-reviewed publication managed by and for students, policy fellows, and early career researchers in science, technology, and innovation policy. Since 2011, JSPG has provided students and early career researchers a vehicle to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow @SciPolJournal on Twitter to learn more.
  • Ridge to Reef (R2R) is an NSF supported Research & Traineeship in Urban Ecosystem Management program, which trains scholars with the necessary skills to manage valuable natural resources in and around urban complexes. Graduate students are trained in the process of convergent science whereby engineers, scientists, and practitioners co-develop research priorities to solve common platforms. R2R trainees are equipped with the skills to inform or become practitioners who implement management solutions. Visit r2r.bio.uci.edu and follow @Ridge2Reef on Twitter to learn more.
  • The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is a national nonprofit organization founded more than 50 years ago by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. UCS’s mission is to use rigorous, independent science to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. Visit https://www.ucsusa.org and follow @UCSUSA on Twitter to learn more.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the speakers and moderators, as well as our valuable partners, for agreeing to help train the next generation of science policy leaders by being part of this certificate program. We would also like to thank Melinda Gormley, Mark Bayer, Christopher Pickett, Shalin Jyotishi, Donovan Guttieres and Bernat Navarro Serer for their feedback on the course, as well as others who helped with suggesting or recruiting speakers, providing comments on the contents, and assisting with resource development. Additionally, thanks to JSPG’s Director of Communications, Saheel Mehta, and GPS-STEM multimedia director, Joanne Ly for the beautiful graphics.

Syllabus & Schedule

Module 1 (June 29): Introduction to Science Policy & Advocacy (1 hr 30 mins): This module explains the fundamentals of science policy and advocacy, differentiating between ‘science for policy’ and ‘policy for science.’ It further explores general approaches for researching and pitching on science policy and advocacy topics, and exemplifies responsible communication skills for advocating on Capitol Hill.

Prior reading:

Course introduction & instructions by organizers: 

  • Harinder Singh, PhD; Adriana Bankston; PhD, Melissa Varga, 

Speaker: Introduction to Science Policy & Advocacy

  • Melinda Gormley, PhD, Research Development Officer, UC Irvine & former AAAS STPF at EPA

Outcomes: 

  • During this class, you will begin to craft your science policy pitch on a topic of your choice

Homework:

  • As an introduction to the science policy, listen to an episode of GPS-STEM Radio – Science Policy Podcasts and write a brief (250 words) summary about what you learned; also, add this person on LinkedIn to start growing your network [we can also suggest a couple of alternative podcasts], upload write-up into google drive by next class
  • Pick a topic to write your science policy pitch on [we will provide a list] 

Module 2 (July 13): Scientific Research Policy (1 hr 30 mins): In an era of hypercompetition for research funding, and elevated levels of advocacy on Capitol Hill, educating the next generation of science policy leaders on research policy topics is crucial. This module exposes participants to a few topics in scientific research policy with broad societal relevance, providing a flavor for research advocacy. 

Prior reading:

Introduction:

  • Kei Koizumi, former Senior Advisor in Science Policy at AAAS & JSPG Governing Board Member [Broad overview of how early career researchers can utilize their research skills towards implementing evidence-based policy]
  • Steve Allison, PhD, Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine, and PI on NSF grant which establishes the Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) at the university [Environmental Policy]

Panelists:

  • Steve Allison, PhD, Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine, and PI on NSF grant which establishes the Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) at the university [Environmental Policy]
  • Sara Marriott, Ph.D. student in Environmental Science and Public Policy, George Mason University & JSPG Editorial Board Member 
  • Chanel Matney, PhD, Policy Consultant, California State Assembly, former California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) fellow & former JSPG Editorial Board Member 
  • Adriana Bankston, PhD, Chief Outreach Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) & former Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Policy and Advocacy Fellow 
  • Laura Lasiter: Director, Health Policy at Friends of Cancer Research & former AAAS STPF Congressional Science Fellow (ACS) 

Moderators: 

  • Ben Wolfson, Postdoctoral fellow, National Cancer Institute & JSPG Editorial Board Member 

Outcomes: 

  • During this class, you will learn about different kinds of policies (environmental, cancer research, neuroscience research)

Homework: 

  • Begin drafting your written science policy pitch and receive feedback from organizers [upload in drive]
  • Listen to podcast episode before the next class, we will do a poll question on this next class

Extra Module – Writing module (July 20): How to Write Science Policy Pieces (1 hour 30 minutes): Learning how to craft policy pieces for non-scientific audiences is a paramount skill for a career in science policy. This session will describe how policy writing differs from academic writing, provide a few examples of different types of policy writing, breakdown elements of such a write-up and begin to craft a written policy piece of your choice. 

Prior reading:

Presentation:

  • Adriana Bankston, PhD, Chief Outreach Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) & former Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Policy and Advocacy Fellow 
    • Policy writing vs. academic writing 10 mins
    • Policy writing examples (op-ed, memo, white paper) 20 mins
    • Break-down op-ed elements 15 mins
    • Practice writing short sample 30 mins
    • Q&A 15 mins

Moderators: 

Outcomes: 

  • During this class, you will learn about different kinds of policy writing (op-ed, memo) and begin working on a draft, with an opportunity to submit to JSPG

Homework: 

  • Continue drafting your oral policy pitch (research)
  • Begin drafting you short policy write-up (op-ed or memo) based on this session and receive feedback [upload in drive] (ongoing) [we will provide a few examples of op-eds/memos right after this class]

Module 3 (July 27): STEM Education & Workforce Development (1 hour 30 mins): Promoting the development of a diverse workforce capable of positively influencing society requires radical systemic change within the university system, in order to broaden career pathways for those in doctoral programs. Speakers will describe ways to improve the research enterprise by increasing equity and inclusion, and engaging in professional development opportunities for transitioning into non-academic careers.

Prior reading:

Introduction:

Panelists:

  • Shalin Jyotishi, Assistant Director, Economic Development & Community Engagement; Program Director, IEP Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) & Chief Executive Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) 
  • Christopher Pickett, PhD, Director, Rescuing Biomedical Research & former ASBMB Science Policy Fellow
  • Gary McDowell, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Lighttroller LLC & former Executive Director at Future of Research (FoR)
  • Baindu Bayon, PhD, AAAS STPF in the NIH Office of the Director, with a focus on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) private sector collaboration, diversity, and cross-institute innovation initiatives
  • Wendy Ingram, PhD, Psychiatric Epidemiology Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health & Executive Director, Dragonfly Mental Health

Moderators: 

  • Adriana Bankston (main session) 

Outcomes: 

  • During this class, you will learn about strategies to improve the research enterprise and have the opportunity to contribute to posts published on JSPG blog/course page from all these perspectives

Homework: 

  • Craft the blog post [we will pick 2-3 topics, or could craft one larger piece] and receive feedback
  • Continue to work on pitch to discuss in the next class

Module 4 (August 10): Effective Advocacy Strategies for Policymakers (1hr 30 mins): PhD students and postdocs need to learn how to effectively communicate their work to policymakers, in order to showcase the importance of scientific research. This module will discuss what advocacy means, cover ways of interacting with policymakers at the federal and state level, and provide practical ways to advocate through a role playing exercise.

Prior reading:

Introduction:

Speakers:

  • Adriana Bankston, PhD, Chief Outreach Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) & former Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Policy and Advocacy Fellow
  • Chanel Matney, PhD, Policy Consultant, California State Assembly, former California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) fellow & former JSPG Editorial Board Member
  • Bernat Navarro Serer, Ph.D. Candidate at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine & Co-Chair, Eastern Hub, National Science Policy Network (NSPN)
  • Mark Bayer, President, Bayer Strategic Consulting

Moderator: 

  • Dan Pomeroy, Executive Director of the Scientific Citizenship Initiative (SCI) at Harvard Medical School

Outcomes & Activities: 

  • Small discussion groups in Zoom breakout rooms – building policy pitch, writing blog & policy write-up
  • During this module, you will learn about how to advocate for science in a more targeted fashion and practice your pitch 

Homework:

  • Pick a policymaker that you want to pitch to specifically 
  • Write a one pager about your issue (example) as you would if you advocate on the Hill, stating how you would frame it for their office 
  • Upload one pager into shared drive (you will receive feedback from organizers)
  • Revisit oral pitch to fit that particular policymaker, be prepared to discuss in module 7

Module 5 (August 24): AAAS STPF for Transitioning into Science Policy & Advocacy Careers (1hr 30 mins): There are many avenues by which STEM scientists can transition into science policy and advocacy careers. The AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) Program provides an innovative and robust way to train the next generation of science policy leaders. Speakers  will discuss experiences with this program and answer questions about the application process.

Prior reading:

Introduction:

TBD [Broad overview of how the AAAS STPF program works and how it is training the next generation of science policy leaders]

Panelists:

  • Ellen Wann, PhD, Health Science Policy Analyst at The National Institutes of Health & former AAAS STPF at NIH Office of the Director, Office of Science Policy, Division of Scientific Data Sharing
  • Marguerite Matthews, PhD, Health Program Specialist, NINDS & former AAAS STPF at NIH
  • Teresa M. Stoepler, PhD, Executive Director, InterAcademy Partnership, Policy; Senior Program Officer at NASEM & former AAAS STPF at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Stephanie Bailey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physics, Chapman University, CA & former AAAS STPF in the Diplomacy Program
  • Ben Isaacoff, PhD, AAAS STPF at U.S. Department of State & JSPG Editorial Board Member

Moderators:

Leah Cairns, PhD, Biophysical Society Congressional AAAS STPF

Outcomes & Activities:

  • In this session, you will learn about experiences the AAAS STPF Program and experiences of fellows, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expand your network
  • Work in Zoom breakout rooms – building policy pitch, writing blog & policy write-up

Homework:

  • Do an informational interview (phone call) with a AAAS STPF- we will provide a template with questions ahead of time

Module 6 (September 8): State and Federal Policy Fellowships for Policy & Advocacy (1hr 30 mins): In addition to AAAS STPF, other more specialized science policy fellowships can facilitate transitions into policy careers. Speakers in this module will discuss their experiences with a variety of fellowships, both at the state and national levels, and how these fellowships advanced their careers.  

Prior reading:

Introduction:

  • Steven Moss, PhD, Associate Program Officer at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Panelists:

  • William Gaieck, PhD, ORISE fellow at AMO within DOE- EERE & former Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow at NASEM
  • Adriana Bankston, PhD, Chief Outreach Officer, Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG) & former Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Policy and Advocacy Fellow
  • Chanel Matney, PhD, Policy Consultant, California State Assembly, former California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) fellow & former JSPG Editorial Board Member
  • Daniel Pham, PhD, Associate Director at Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy & former Research!American fellow

Moderators:

  • Nicole Parker, PhD, Senior Associate at Lewis-Burke Associates LLC & former & former Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow at NASEM

Outcomes:

  • In this session, you will learn about experiences of science policy fellows in many settings, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expand your network
  • Provide feedback, on the informational interviews with policy fellows,  to each other in zoom breakout room
  • Continue to build your policy pitch in groups
  • Work on policy piece in  your groups
  • Blog post work in your groups

Homework:

  • Do an informational interview (phone/Zoom call) with someone who has done an fellowship with one of these agencies – we will provide a template with questions ahead of time

Module 7 (September 21): Effective Communication for Public Policy & Advocacy (1hr 30 mins): Communicating science effectively is essential in advocating for equitable, science-based policies. This module will provide an overview of how science communication strategies can be applied to science advocacy and policy. Participants will hear from a UCS policy expert about how they build relationships with policymakers as a way of informing and influencing the policy making process. The trainers will also introduce power mapping as a tool for better understanding policymakers so you can craft your most effective messages to inform or persuade them. 

Prior reading:

Speakers:

  • Erin Rodriguez, California Policy Advocate, Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Joyce Xi, Western States Outreach Coordinator, Union of Concerned Scientists

Moderator:  Melissa Varga, Community Manager and Partnerships Coordinator, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) 

  • Presentation on bringing science to policy, featuring a case study from CA state policy work. Q&A to follow. (Erin Rodriguez) 25 min.
  • Power mapping as a tool for effective advocacy. (Joyce Xi) 30 min. 
      • Identify your target decision maker
      • Researching decision makers
      • Identifying opportunities to push for change
      • Crafting your approach
      • Communications best practices for policy
      • Brief opportunity for Q&A
  • Breakout group exercise (20 min). 
  • Report backs, final questions (15 min)

Outcomes:

  • In breakout rooms, apply power mapping to your previously designed pitch, revise pitch based on this module

Homework:

  • Submit final pitch (in writing) and upload in google drive (UCS to provide feedback), selected pitches may be published in JSPG (course page/blog)

Module 8 (October 5): Leveraging Science Policy & Advocacy for Industry Careers (1 hr 30 mins): This module will discuss how knowledge and training in science policy and the skills gained can be directly applied into any job sector, especially the scientific industry, if that is your future career choice. Almost all the industry, nonprofit and government jobs require professional skill e.g Communication, leadership, out-of-the-box thinking, interpersonal skills, networking. During this module, you will hear from industry leaders, who either finished science policy fellowship or received training in science policy and advocacy.

Prior reading: TBD

Introduction:

  • Matthew Hanson, Director, New Ventures, UCI Beall Applied Innovation

Panelists:

  • Chelsea Gregg, PhD, Principal Research & Development Engineer, Medtronic 
  • Stephanie Davis, PhD, AAAS STPF at NIA Office of Small Business Research & JSPG Editorial Board Member
  • Kimberly Maxfield, PhD, Policy Lead in the Office of Clinical Pharmacology, FDA & former Science and Technology Policy fellow at Board of Health Care Services at NASEM
  • Alan Arnold, PhD, Director of Research Development at MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium & former AAAS STPF at NSF
  • Justin Clifford Smith, PhD, Senior Data Scientist at Optum & former AAAS STPF at the US Census Bureau & Former JSPG Editorial Board Member

Moderators:

  • Harinder Singh (main session)

Activity:

  • Small group discussions in breakout rooms on career plans for participants

Outcomes:

  • In this session, you will learn about leveraging science policy for a particular career path, in this case industry

Homework:

  • Continue working on blog post(s) based on feedback
  • Network informally with industry professionals if interested in this path

Module 9 (October 19): Science Policy & Advocacy Engagement at the Local Level (1 hr 30 mins): Science policy and advocacy knowledge needs to be put into practice at the local level. Engagement of PhD students and postdocs with non-scientific audiences is critical for their training in this space, and for showcasing the importance of research training outside of academia. Experts in this module work in various sectors of society, and they will discuss how science policy and advocacy can improve scientific literacy and public engagement.

Prior reading:

Speakers:

  • Karina Brocco French, PhD Student, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences,  UC Irvine
  • Arti Garg, Founder and Chair, Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) & former AAAS STPF Congressional Fellow, American Physical Society
  • Adam Fagen, PhD, Director of Communications and Advocacy at Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) & Former Director of Early Career Scientist Engagement Segment, AAAS
  • Geoffrey Hunt, Public engagement and science communication professional & former Public Outreach Manager, ASBMB

Moderators:

  • Rosie Dutt, PhD student in the Bioimaging Science program at Washington University in St. Louis & JSPG Editorial Board Member

Outcomes:

  • In this module, you will learn about public engagement from experts in different settings

Homework:

  • Identify one public engagement project of interest and craft a short pitch/idea of how you would engage (feedback from organizers)

Module 10 (October 26): Science advocacy in action (1hr 30 mins): Give your pitch to a policymaker (TBD).