AAAS WORKSHOP: Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering

Every year, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) selects a highly competitive cohort of early-career researchers to head to Washington, DC as part of their Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop. In the capitol, participants learn about science policy and advocacy from career experts and even meet with legislators and Hill staffers to practice advocating for policy.

After the 2020 Workshop –scheduled for late March, 2020 – was cancelled due to the rapidly-developing COVID-19 pandemic, planning a typical CASE experience for the 2021 cohort posed a challenge. Rather than selecting and sending a new cohort to Washington for workshops, socials, and in-person meetings that might end up canceled, the AAAS opted to move the event fully virtual – no application needed! This allowed hundreds of early-career researchers, engineers, and medical professionals from across the globe to attend and learn from leading experts from the U.S. federal science policy world.

The virtual workshop was held over two days in late September. On the first day, participants were given an introduction to Advocacy, U.S. Science and Technology Policy, and the Federal Budget Process by eminent experts such as Sudip Parikh (CEO of AAAS) and Matthew Hourihan (Program Director of the AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program). The annual Federal budget process, a “black box” that not many individuals get the opportunity to formally study, was a main focus of the day.

On day two, topics were more specific: a Case Study of NSF’s Broader Impacts, a panel on Congress’s role and vision for S&T Policy, and expert tips on Engaging in Science Policy (Erin Heath, Director of AAAS Federal Relations) and the Dos and Don’ts of Communicating with Congress (Sean Gallagher, AAAS Senior Government Relations Officer).  

Altogether, the workshops did a great job of addressing the main goals of the traditional annual CASE workshop. And, although this year’s virtual format offered far fewer opportunities for the hands-on practice and networking that the CASE workshop is known for, it opened up the educational experience to hundreds of participants who might have not otherwise been able to attend.