MOST Policy Initiative and the Missouri Local Science Engagement Network are hosting an Honest Broker Workshop. The workshop will teach participants strategies for science-policy engagement, particularly nonpartisan communication, at the state and local levels. Participants will leave with an understanding of how state governments vary and the state-level policy fellowships that exist across the United States. They will also learn strategies to engage with legislators, particularly in non-advocacy roles that still emphasize establishing equitable policy outcomes.

Scientists play a variety of roles in the policymaking process. The politicization of science calls for increased nonpartisan engagement from the scientific community, particularly at the state and local levels where decisions are often made with fewer resources. Scientists can build strategic relationships with lawmakers and position themselves as trusted messengers of scientific knowledge for state governments. Workshop participants will hear from scientists who have worked in these roles about career opportunities in this space. Participants will leave with an action plan for conducting nonpartisan engagement on scientific topics in their home state.

Kent Haden – Rep. Kent Haden, a Republican, represents Audrain and Callaway Counties (District 43) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. Prior to his legislative duties, Haden worked for eight years for the Missouri Department of Agriculture as the state epidemiologist. Haden has also worked in private veterinary practice and as a disease control veterinarian for Missouri. He also worked for 28 years for MFA, Incorporated, last serving as vice president in charge of feed and animal health.

Kip Kendrick  – Kip Kendrick served in the Missouri House of Representatives for the 45th district from 2015 to 2021. In November 2020, Kendrick announced that he would resign from his seat in the House to serve as the chief of staff for State Senator Greg Razer, a Democrat, who represents parts of Kansas City, MO (District 7). Kendrick has been a member of the MOST Policy Fellows Advisory Board since 2018.

Raychel Proudie  – Representative Raychel Proudie, a Democrat, represents parts of North St. Louis County (District 73) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first term as a state representative in November 2018. Proudie is a certified Classroom Teacher and School Counselor in Missouri, Illinois, and Louisiana and has extensive experience working in public schools in urban and rural areas in both traditional public and charter schools. Proudie has been a member of the MOST Policy Fellows Advisory Board since 2021.

Caleb Rowden  – Senator Caleb Rowden, a Republican, was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2016, representing Boone and Cooper Counties (District 19). Prior to his election to the Senate, Rowden served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was first elected to the Missouri House in 2012, becoming the first Representative in the history of Missouri to beat two former State Senators in a Missouri House race. Rowden currently serves as the Senate Majority Floor Leader. Rowden has been a member of the MOST Policy Fellows Advisory Board since 2018.

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