From Astronomy to Policy A Not En(rely Unexpected Journey

Transcription

1 From Astronomy to Policy A Not En(rely Unexpected Journey Reba Bandyopadhyay, PhD Science Policy Analyst Na;onal Science Board Office Na;onal Science Founda;on Georgetown REU Site Program Communica;ng Science Workshop 29 June 2018

2 Why science policy? I used to study black holes for a living. I d like to be able to help make sure that others can con;nue to study black holes for a living. Big ques;ons about both the climate for and infrastructure of science research in the US How do we encourage policymakers to priori8ze science in the federal budget? Are we op8mizing the use of federal funds to advance scien8fic progress and broadening par8cipa8on in science via the programs and facili8es we have in place? Are the structures suppor8ng academic science in line with the current organiza8on and prac8ces of higher educa8on?

3 Fundamental Research, brought to you by the government Grants to Inves;gators, Teams; Infrastructure and Support for Facili;es 50% of all basic research in the US is funded by the government

4 What is science policy? Policy for science, and science for policy. Science policy is an area of public policy which is concerned with the policies that affect the conduct of the science and research enterprise, including the funding of science, oden in pursuance of other na8onal policy goals such as technological innova8on to promote commercial product development, weapons development, health care and environmental monitoring. Science policy also refers to the act of applying scien8fic knowledge and consensus to the development of public policies. Science policy thus deals with the en8re domain of issues that involve the natural sciences. In accordance with public policy being concerned about the well-being of its ci8zens, science policy's goal is to consider how science and technology can best serve the public. Source: Wikipedia

5 A few words about sod skills Wri8ng, speaking, communica8on, teaching, outreach, leadership, management, teamwork These are not extraneous skills for a scien8st they are essen8al Seek out opportuni8es to learn and prac8ce these skills Not only useful if you pursue careers outside of academia - these will help you be a beper academic as well! Science is part of society.

6 Who, How? Congress (legisla8ve) Write laws Sets budgets Agencies (execu8ve) Hammer out policy details Policy implementa8on The science policy establishment is dominated by aaorneys and poli;cians - competent people who, for the most part, have never done science and, consequently, have liale idea what day-to-day science is like.

7 Key Governmental Players in the DC Science Policy Ecosystem White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) Science Advisor to the President Congress Senate Commerce, Science, Transporta8on CommiPee House CommiPee on Science, Space, and Technology House and Senate Appropria8ons CommiPees NSF/Na8onal Science Board President s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)

8 A Path to Federal Science Policy Undergrad MIT Grad Oxford (UK) Na8onal Research Council Associateship at the Naval Research Laboratory Gemini Support Astronomer (UK office) Research faculty at the University of Florida Higher educa8on Student perspec8ve Faculty perspec8ve Government Research Lab Satellite launch & opera8ons Na8onal federally funded research facili8es Management & opera8on Federal grant process Interna8onal experience SoD skills

9 Enhancing Policy, Transforming Careers Goal: Strategy: Foster scien8fically informed, evidencebased policy and prac8ce. Engage scien8sts and engineers from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages to: Contribute knowledge and analy8cal skills to the federal government. Learn first-hand about policymaking and implementa8on at the federal level. Build S&T leadership equipped to address complex societal challenges. Output: Policy-savvy scien8sts & engineers

10 Fellowship Offers Knowledge of: ü Interac8ons of branches of government ü Balance of power ü Federal budget ü Policymaking processes ü Procedure Understanding of stakeholders and factors affec8ng policy Poli8cal awareness What We Learn Frame issues and messages Communicate to nonscien8fic audiences in policy language Strategic planning & 8ming Nego8a8on, persuasion, diplomacy Network, build alliances Collaborate, foster consensus Respond in necessary 8meframes Balance return on investment

11 Working in the Senate Pordolio areas Educa8on Science & space Avia8on Tasks Developed policy ideas DraDed legisla8on Wrote hearing statements & ques8ons Briefed the Senator on policy Staffed the Senator at hearings & mee8ngs Took mee8ngs with advocacy groups & cons8tuents Wrote vote recommenda8ons DraDed formal oversight lepers Senator Brian Schatz D-Hawaii Team Schatz

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13 The Na8onal Science Board What is the Na8onal Science Board (NSB)? NSF Act of 1950: The Founda;on shall consist of a Na;onal Science Board and a Director with a joint duty to recommend and encourage the pursuit of na;onal policies for the promo;on of research and educa;on in science and engineering. 25 Members, appointed by the President

14 Things We Do

15 How is policy like science? Most of the ;me, we make incremental progress toward a goal. OOen this involves small refinements. More accurate measurements; small tweaks to language Then, once in a great while, a eureka moment! Major discovery; significant legisla8on/new policy Scien;sts should understand beaer than most why this isn t a fast process!

16 Evidence-based policy Public policy informed by rigorously established objec8ve evidence. Well, duh, why wouldn t you always base policy on data? Not everything is easily quan8fiable and

17 What are the other factors? Public Policy Scien8fic Evidence and Data Long/Short Timescale Social Economic Infrastructure Poli8cal Will Ideology Poli8cs Science/Data We want science to be in the room when policies and laws are formulated and decisions are made!

18 Follow the money Show me your budget and I will tell you what you value. - Joe Biden A budget is a statement of values; handing out money depends on priori8es and beliefs. These in turn depend not only on evidence but also on non-empirical, human factors. Science enjoys significant bipar8san support in the federal government. But where is it in the priority list? As scien8sts or ci8zens interested in science, how do WE make the case for raising the priority of science for funding support when compe8ng with all the other demands and desires?

19 You are a lobbyist! Congress shall make no law respec;ng an establishment of religion, or prohibi;ng the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to pe;;on the government for a redress of grievances. US Cons;tu;on, Bill of Rights, Amendment I Science doesn t speak for itself if we value it, we must speak for it. Its value rela8ve to other compe8ng demands is not always self-evident. Legislators can only hear people who are talking to them.

20 Communica8on is key Authen;c communica;on from real cons;tuents mawers. Staff can tell the difference between honest communica8on and astroturf. That s what staff are for if you can t get an idea past the staff, only rarely will the policy maker hear about it. Networks of trust once you or your organiza8on develop a good rela8onship with a policy maker, you can have influence.

21 Geong your signal above the noise There is a huge flood of informa8on, and bandwidth is limited. It is most effec8ve to use narra8ves/stories supplemented by data/facts and figures. Directly connec8ng your ask to home districts or states is crucial. Informa8on needs to be accurate and brief, in an easily diges8ble format. Timing is everything!

22 Be an advocate for science You are closer to your elected officials, and more important to them, than you think make yourself heard! Regular, sustained contact is essen8al. Non-par8san character of science is vital. How to get involved: Respond to policy alerts or call your elected officials Invite them to your labs or departments Par8cipate in organized science lobbying efforts Science, Engineering, Technology Congressional Visits Day Society-sponsored visits, e.g. AAS Communica8ng with Washington

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24 Resources American Astronomical Society hpp://aas.org/policy American Physical Society hpp:// American Ins8tute of Physics hpps:// American Associa8on for the Advancement of Science hpp://aaas.org/informing-policy AAAS S&T Execu8ve Branch Fellowships AAAS & Partner Society Congressional Fellowships