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Johns Hopkins Science Policy Group: Training scientists to be effective advocates and communicators
Author(s) -
Matney Chanel,
Sima Richard,
Carlson Jenny,
Cairns Leah,
Wood Kaitlin,
Pham Daniel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.535.7
Subject(s) - outreach , grassroots , public relations , political science , legislature , policy advocacy , legislation , public administration , politics , law
Legislative and regulatory affairs in science policy play a central role in shaping the practice of biomedical research. However, there are limited opportunities allowing scientists to practice techniques in effective policy advocacy. Since its inception in 2016, the Johns Hopkins Science Policy Group has provided trainees in the biological and health sciences with immersive training and professional development opportunities in advocacy, policy analysis, and strategic communications. Our student‐led initiatives, such as our flagship “Eat and Advocate” program, trains researchers to engage their Congressional representatives with targeted advocacy messages promoting pro‐science legislation. Trainees attending our advocacy training seminars learn how to communicate the value of federally‐funded research to policy‐makers, honing their science outreach and communication skills. Further, our members develop educational content, including fact sheets, infographics, message templates, and call‐to‐action memos, to incentive fellow researchers to engage in civic action supporting pro‐research legislative agendas. Past student‐led projects have provided training and professional development opportunities through advocacy initiatives on NIH appropriations, the Affordable Care Act, 21st Century Cures, the Paris Climate Accord, prescription drug pricing regulation, and the Clean Water Act of 2015. The Johns Hopkins Science Policy Group is a model of a highly effective trainee‐led program that is capable of training researchers in 1) organizational leadership by leading grassroots advocacy initiatives 2) strategic communications in advocacy, policy analysis, and science communication 3) civic engagement and public outreach. Support or Funding Information Johns Hopkins Graduate Student Association, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Student Assembly, and the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .