In January, MOST Policy Initiative launched the Missouri Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The Missouri LSEN will provide opportunities for scientists, engineers, and science supporters across the state of Missouri to engage with policymakers, in order to elevate science in policies, programs, and practices at the state and local level. We are pleased to welcome Dan English to our team as the Missouri LSEN Coordinator and our second fulltime staff member!
Dan earned a BA in Telecommunications from Indiana University in 2003. He worked in sports broadcasting, music videos, and TV journalism before moving to Missouri in 2008 to pursue a career in news. Dan produced the short film, Last Days of Shaniko in 2010, and produced morning TV news broadcasts in Kansas City until 2014. Dan developed a passion for science and public health after a career in communications. He started attending science classes at the University of Missouri Kansas City and Rockhurst University in 2012. In 2014, Dan became a surgical tech, assisting surgeons and nurses with multiple surgical technologies in the operating room. In 2019, he received an MS in Global Health from the University of Notre Dame, researching malaria and vector behavior in South America. Now Dan is combining his passions for communication and science as the Missouri Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) Coordinator.
As the LSEN Coordinator, Dan will serve as a nonpartisan ambassador for the scientific community to state and local decision-makers, elected officials, and other community leaders. He will work side-by-side with scientists and policymakers to map and share opportunities for scientists to engage with decision-makers statewide. He will be the first point-of-contact for scientists and supporters from public and private research institutions interested in being part of the Missouri LSEN and will steward relationships with LSEN participants. Additionally, he will facilitate capacity building opportunities and regular webinars/meetings for LSEN participants. Leveraging his communications background, Dan will work in collaboration with AAAS to develop effective communications strategies for the Missouri LSEN and share our efforts broadly.
Dan will be based in Kansas City, MO. You can get in touch with Dan via email at dan@mostpolicyinitiative.org. Please join us in welcoming him to the Missouri SciPol team!