Scientists nationwide are stepping up to engage with government leaders like never before. This surge of interest has prompted science academies to unite and explore how they can maximize their collective impact. Leaders from national and state organizations recently gathered at a joint workshop in Chicago to share strategies on building trust with lawmakers, shaping research-based regulations, and turning scientific insights into action.
On Saturday, July 25, MOST Executive Director Dr. Allison Davis and Agriculture and Energy Policy Fellow Dr. Vikram Lakhanpal attended a workshop co-hosted by the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The workshop was part of the inaugural NAAS Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Davis participated in a panel on Identifying Gaps in Agriculture and Energy Policy, moderated by NAAS member and MOST co-founder Dr. Rachel Owen. During the panel, Dr. Davis highlighted how MOST fellows develop personal relationships with Missouri lawmakers as part of building trust as a valuable resource to the General Assembly. Also on the panel was Dr. Kayri Havens of the Chicago Botanic Garden, who discussed how advocates can tailor their messages for different audiences. She explained that it’s possible to adjust language based on someone’s political views while staying true to the facts and one’s goals. Ann Kirby of the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative talked about establishing farming practices to improve year-round soil health and biodiversity. She observed that government regulations alone cannot achieve goals, and stressed the importance of empowering people to act where they have agency.
Tim Anderson of the Council of State Governments talked about how each state legislature is unique. He also discussed how CSG tries to encourage legislators to take a long-term perspective on policy decisions. Gregory Ehrendreich of Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance shared his experience in translating research developments into practical applications in improving building efficiency. Questions from audience members sparked a discussion about when and where advocacy and non-partisanship are appropriate.
Dr. Davis drew applause for her closing remarks, which placed this moment of change in long-term context. She noted that the current funding model for scientific research has only been in place for about 70 years, and while ongoing disruptions at the federal level are creating uncertainty, scientists could also view this time an opportunity to develop new systems to suit the future of science.
An earlier panel featured a discussion on actionable engagement with states and communities. K. John Holmes of NASEM and Michael Fernandez of the AAAS EPICenter talked about the importance of sharing resources between national and state level organizations. Dr. Liz Crocker, Director of Thriving Earth Exchange, discussed how science can engage with people on the local level. She shared an example of how shrimp farmers in Louisiana had observed changes in fishing yields, which they believed were connected to natural gas plant developments in the area. Thriving Earth Exchange connected the farmers with scientists who could help them design and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses.
The workshop concluded with a conversation about philanthropic funding of scientific programs and a reception. Reflecting on the day’s events, Dr. Lakhanpal said, “What we do at MOST is just one of countless angles to approach government and engage with lawmakers on science-based issues, so it’s awesome to be able to exchange ideas and see how other scientific organizations get involved with the political process.”
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