Page 40 - i1052-5173-30-6

POLICY UPDATE
GSA Participates in Initiative to

Support Scientists Engaging with Policy

Makers, Communities, and the Public

Addressing many of the most complex • At the same time, there are a number of programming areas that
and important problems we face—from societies do not currently support, though their staff and members
climate change to global health threats— recognize their importance. These include supporting local and
requires conversations and collaborations grassroots advocacy and facilitating collaborations between
between scientists, decision makers, and the researchers and communities. Although some organizations do
public. Many scientists are already involved provide awards for scientists who engage in especially impactful
in these interactions through interviews civic science activities, there is room for greater recognition of this
with the media, policy recommendations for important work among societies, particularly because society rec-
their elected representatives, and collabora- ognition may contribute to more recognition among universities
tions with communities. These activities and other institutions.
Rose Hendricks, contribute to a culture of “civic science” Overall, the assessment provided insights into key opportunities
Kavli Civic Science (http://ritaallen.org/civic-science/), in for scientific societies to make a greater collective impact in their
Fellow
which science both informs the broader support. The group used this foundation to develop a collective
society and is informed by societal needs and priorities. vision and goals, which include:
Scientific societies have traditionally supported their own members • Creating opportunities for learning and collaboration among soci-
in this work. For example, GSA has extensive information for mem- eties to scale up effective civic science programs;
bers on engaging in science policy (https://www.geosociety.org/ • Encouraging more universities to offer greater support and
Policy), provides fellowship opportunities to geoscientists to work rewards for scientists engaging in civic science; and
more deeply with policymakers, organizes visits to congressional • Supporting more scientists in engaging more often and more effec-
offices, and has issued a statement (https://www.geosociety.org/ tively with policy makers and members of the public.
documents/gsa/positions/pos2_proContrib.pdf) on the importance At the end of January 2020, staff from a number of societies
of rewarding professional contributions in public spheres. (including GSA) convened to kick off specific projects toward
The Society Civic Science Initiative (https://www.societycivic those shared goals. The projects include developing a stronger
science.org/) provides an opportunity for GSA to expand on these learning culture among scientific societies, signaling the value of
programs by working more closely with other science societies. With civic science to all entities in the science ecosystem, providing
support from the Kavli Foundation (https://www.kavlifoundation opportunities for scientists to engage in local and grassroots advo-
.org), societies have the opportunity to collaborate to advance their cacy, and encouraging and facilitating collaborations between
collective support of scientists’ civic science efforts. The initiative researchers and communities. As these projects expand and gain
is led by the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), in partner- momentum, we will continue to monitor and measure our progress
ship with the American Association for the Advancement of and seek additional opportunities for impact.
Science (AAAS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and We are optimistic that this collaboration will create valuable
Research!America. GSA has actively participated in this collabora- opportunities for scientific societies to advance a culture of civic
tion since it began in the fall of 2019. science. When science-society relationships are strong, we see
The Society Civic Science Initiative began with an examination scientific research that reflects public priorities and values,
of societies’ civic science efforts. It documented common ways that increased public interest in and support for science, the uptake of
organizations aim to equip, empower, and reward scientists who scientifically sound practices and policies, and the promise of a
engage with broad audiences (the full report is available at https:// diverse and competent scientific workforce for years to come.
www.informalscience.org/scientific-society-civic-science Please contact GSA’s director for geoscience policy, Kasey
-landscape). The report uncovered some trends that will inform White (kwhite@geosociety.org), for more information about
subsequent work. GSA’s involvement with the Society Citizen Science Initiative.
• A number of associations have experienced increased interest
among their members to get involved in advocacy, public engage- Rose Hendricks is the Kavli Civic Science Fellow, leading sci-
ment, and community science. Organizations have worked to meet entific societies in expanding their collaboration to support scien-
this increased interest. tists who engage in civic science. She has conducted research to
• Many organizations provide similar programs, such as webinars or understand how to make science communications more effective
conference sessions on science communication fundamentals. at the FrameWorks Institute. She is also a leader of grassroots
However, societies don’t have consistent practices for evaluating science communication training initiatives (ComSciCon and the
the effectiveness of these programs or sharing the lessons they Science Communication Trainers Network), and an active climate
learn with each other. advocate with Citizens Climate Lobby. She earned her Ph.D. in
cognitive science from the University of California San Diego.

40 GSA Today | June 2020