Check out what we’ve been up to lately!

AAAS WORKSHOP: Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering
The 2021 AAAS CASE Workshop Goes Virtual!

Partnership: Neuroscience Communication Affinity Group
Introducing our second year collaborating with the Neuroscience Communication Affinity Group, sponsored by UCLA’s Brain Research Institute!

SPG President Zoe Guttamn Elected to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance

National Science Policy network: western hub retreat
Hosted by SPG President Zoe Guttman!

Equitable and Inclusive UC Healthcare Act (SB 379)
SPG members worked in partnership with ACLU SoCal and NARAL Pro-Choice California to advocate to Senator Ben Allen (D; CA-26) for legislation that would help combat non-scientific restrictions on healthcare in California.

SPG Recognized at NSPN’s SciPol Awards
The National Science Policy Network (NSPN) held their 2021 SciPol Awards ceremony on June 2nd to celebrate NSPN members and chapters who have made outstanding contributions in science policy. Out of five award categories, the Science Policy Group at UCLA was honored as a winner for two and runner-up for a third.

Taylor Kuhn, PhD: "Artistic Representations of Human Connectome Project Data"
Dr. Taylor Kuhn's project lies at the intersections of science and art and is currently being exhibited at the international Venice Biennale art festival.

Compartmentalizing A Culture War: A Stem Cell Biologist’s Relationship With Abortion Policy
Reprinted from an article written by SPG’s Yuki Hebner for Knowing Neurons

The Wild Wild West of Tear Gas Regulation
Reprinted from an article written by SPG’s Zoe Guttman, Yuki Hebner, and Lauren Wagner for Knowing Neurons

Science Communication Workshop & Award: Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Congratulations to SPG member Zoë Dobler for winning the SciComm Award, sponsored in partnership by the UCLA Graduate Program in Biosciences & the UCLA Brain Research Institute

Climate Bond
We are currently meeting with legislators to advocate for policies to be included in the California Climate Bond (SB 45), which would provide funding for numerous issues expected to be exacerbated by climate change (clean drinking water, coastal protection, wildfire prevention, etc.).

SPG endorses the ongoing unionization effort by Student Researchers United/UAW

Albert Carnesale, PhD: "Nuclear Terrorism"
Professor Albert Carnesale, Chancellor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Member Spotlight: Ashna Aggarwal

How Can a Neuroscientist Work in Policy?
Reprinted from an article written by SPG’s Zoe Guttman & Yuki Hebner for Knowing Neurons

DR. CARRIE WOLINETZ ON NIH SCIENCE POLICY: "THE LION IN THE PATH"
Dr. Carrie Wolinetz, who leads the Office of Science Policy at the National Institutes of Health, shares her expertise and personal experience working in the field of Science Policy.

VIDEO: EXPLORING CAREERS IN STEM PANEL

Member Spotlight: Roshni Varma
Roshni is a second-year undergraduate pursuing a major in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics and a minor in Global Health. She is passionate about improving health equity and healthcare access, especially for marginalized populations. In addition, she is interested in research focused on the international implications of U.S. policies.

COOPERATION AND COMPETITION: THE FUTURE OF SPACE DIPLOMACY
Given recent commercial launches and the ever-more-vibrant landscape of national and international space agencies, the public is currently captivated by interest in space travel and space operations. This panel will focus on how these developments will shape the landscape of diplomacy, law, commercialization, and cooperation in space in the near future. Join us for an engaging discussion highlighting the frontiers of the field's current issues!

Congratulations to Zoe Guttman for being selected as a 2021 SciPol Scholar
The Science Policy (SciPol) Scholars-in-Residence Program provides hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities for early-career scientists and engineers seeking to build and use their skills in policymaking.