Year: 2020

SPOT News and Events

• Student Group Liaisons
  SPOT is looking for liaisons from other student organizations at NU. Liaisons would be points of contact for discussions about collaborative events or initiatives with SPOT. If your student org is interested in collaborating with us in the future, please send us an email at spotforcenu@gmail.com.

• Memo Writing Opportunity with SustainNU
  We are writing policy memos to inform Northwestern’s next Strategic Sustainability Plan! We are looking for memo writers to draft policy recommendations for the University’s sustainability initiatives. This is a great opportunity to practice your policy-related writing skills! If you’d like to contribute or learn more about this initiative, please fill out the interest form here.

• Upcoming Science Diplomacy Talk
  We will be hosting Dr. Fadila Boughanemi for a talk on “EU International Cooperation Strategy in Research and Innovation – a contribution to  Science Diplomacy” in January! Dr. Fadila Boughanemi is Deputy Head of the Unit for Asia, Africa, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the European Commission on Science and Innovation. Her talk will focus on the EU’s science diplomacy activities in Africa and MENA Countries. Stay tuned for more information about the event!

• Book Club Discussion
  If you are interested in joining our Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet monthly! This December, we will be reading from the Science of the People magazine with the overarching theme: Science Under Occupation. Specifically, we will discuss the topics “Decolonizing STEM Curriculum;” “STEM on Hold;” and “Indigenous Knowledge, Western Science, and the US Colonial Project.”

Other Events and Opportunities

• Join the Science Diplomacy Affinity Group on Wednesday, December 16th from 5:30-6:30pm for a conversation with Dr. E. William Colglazier, Editor-in-Chief of Science & Diplomacy, Senior Scholar at AAAS, and former Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State (2011 – 2014), about science diplomacy after COVID-19. Submit questions here; read a recent article by Dr. Colglazier here; and access the Zoom link (passcode: SciDip) and calendar event here and here, respectively.

• Join the Duke Initiative for Science & Society on Friday, December 18 at 12:00pm EST for a conversation between Dr. Anthony Fauci and Alan Alda: “Restoring Faith in Public Science Agencies”. RSVP here.

In the News

• The European Space Agency (ESA) announced it will launch the ClearSpace-1 in 2025, which will be the first mission of its kind to clear orbital space debris – read more here.

• The world’s largest study on research integrity is at risk of cratering after nearly two-thirds of invited institutions have declined to participate – read more here.

• The Arecibo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico collapsed on Dec. 1, less than two weeks after the NSF announced the facility would be decommissioned – read more about the collapse here, and the events leading up to it here.

Get Involved with SPOT

• Do you want to share your research with the public? We are always looking for more ideas for programming for our science outreach program towards elderly populations, Science with Seniors. If you have an idea of a topic you would like to present on, please reach out to emilyschafer2023@u.northwestern.edu.
• Do you think legislators could benefit from learning more about your research or scientific interests? We are currently looking for people interested in writing briefs for local representatives about scientific topics as part of our Legislative Outreach Team. Email kchintam@u.northwestern.edu if you are interested!
• Do you have any news/events/opportunities related to science policy that might be worth sharing? We welcome any items to add to the newsletter! Email spotforcenu@gmail.com if you want to share anything.

Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more scipol news and updates!

SPOT News and Events

• Congrats to our new Science One-Pager Initiative (SOPI) Advisory Board: Elsa Koninckx, Peter Malonis, Carrie Schoeneberger, and Kelsey Wiles. Thanks to everyone that applied – we had to make difficult decisions and appreciate all of your thoughtful responses. We are looking forward to seeing this initiative grow!
• Book Club Discussion
  If you are interested in joining our Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet monthly! The November book is Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble.

Other Events and Opportunities

• The National Science Policy Network (NSPN) will host its annual National Science Policy Symposium on November 13 and 14. The theme of this year’s symposium is “Science Policy and Racial Justice.” NSPN members can register to attend all sessions for free! If you’re not already a member, membership is only $20/year, so we encourage you to join.
• November 18th – Scholars Strategy Network Meeting. Monthly chapter meeting is always the third Wednesday of the month from 7-8pm CST. To join email Emily Hallgren (ehallg2@uic.edu) to be added to the invite list.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists is working with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition to bring scientists together to virtually advocate for the Clean Energy Jobs Act on Thursday, November 12. This is an opportunity to directly engage with Illinois legislators about policy – register here.
• EURAXESS North America interviewed Anouk De Bast, Head of the Science Office at the Swiss Embassy to the U.S., about what makes her country unique, Swiss knowledge networks, and the nation as a center of innovation. View the recording here.
  EURAXESS will also be holding a Science Diplomacy Webinar on December 3 – details are forthcoming, so save the date!

In the News

• A treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons has passed into international law in the UN, despite opposition from major nuclear powers including the US – read more here.
• The CDC will advise that the first COVID vaccines go to healthcare workers, who are among the highest-risk individuals – read more here.
• “How Decades of Racist Housing Policy Left Neighborhoods Sweltering” – read how structural racism, policy, and climate change intersect here.

Get Involved with SPOT

• Do you want to share your research with the public? We are always looking for more ideas for programming for our science outreach program towards elderly populations, Science with Seniors. If you have an idea of a topic you would like to present on, please reach out to emilyschafer2023@u.northwestern.edu.
• Do you think legislators could benefit from learning more about your research or scientific interests? We are currently looking for people interested in writing briefs for local representatives about scientific topics as part of our Legislative Outreach Team. Email kchintam@u.northwestern.edu if you are interested!
• Do you have any news/events/opportunities related to science policy that might be worth sharing? We welcome any items to add to the newsletter! Email spotforcenu@gmail.com if you want to share anything.

Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more scipol news and updates!

Upcoming Events

• Science with Seniors Interest Meeting and Info Session. If you want to learn more about giving science talks to senior citizens in the Chicago area, please RSVP here to attend our interest meeting on Friday, October 9th from 12-1pm via Zoom.
• Skills for Bridging the Divide Workshop. We are partnering with Braver Angels and the Community Deliberation Network to hold a workshop called Skills for Bridging the Divide: Grad Students and Communication Competence on October 17, 2-4pm. Please note that to be an active participant there is a 40-minute pre-course; otherwise, anybody can attend as an observer. More info and registration details can be found here.
• Book Club Discussion. If you are interested in joining our Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet monthly! The October book is Short Circuiting Policy by Leah Stokes.

Other Events and Opportunities

• The COVID-19 pandemic means that many usual election judge volunteers (senior citizens) no longer feel comfortable serving this role. Volunteer to be an election judge and serve your neighborhood! Find more information here. If you have questions, please contact emmazajdela@u.northwestern.edu.
• The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund is hosting a webinar titled How Scientists Can Engage in Political Campaigns and Activism on October 8, 5-6pm CT. Learn more and RSVP here. Only a few spots remain so register ASAP if interested!
• The 45th Annual AAAS Forum on Science & Technology Policy will be held on October 13-14. This year’s forum will focus on two issues: (1) research during the pandemic and (2) structural racism within the scientific enterprise. Learn more and RSVP here.
• Join Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally and the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues on October 12, 2-3:30pm CT for an online panel discussion on Science Technology and the Vote. Hear how people with STEM backgrounds are working with local government to help ensure fair and free elections. Learn more and RSVP here.
• The DICE lab in Northwestern’s Psychology Department is calling for undergraduate students 18 or older to take part in a multi-phase study investigating identities, beliefs, and actions related to the current political climate. The first phase is a short, confidential survey, for which participants will be paid $10. Follow this link and use the password “Northwestern2020” to begin the survey. Submissions end Monday, October 19, or earlier if enough people participate.

In the News

• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has announced it will require the scientists it funds to make their papers open-access immediately upon publication – read more here.
• An Op-Ed in The Scientist offers advice on minimizing the divide between science and policy in the age of COVID-19 – read more here.
• Researchers in Mexico are protesting a bill that would slash 68 billion pesos ($3 billion) of government funding for science and technology and divert it to the country’s COVID-19 response – read more here.
• The Journal of Science Policy and Governance, in partnership with AAAS, published an issue which featured policy memos and analyses from early career scientists – including one memo from our very own board members Kavi, Olivia, and Suyog! Read more here.

Get Involved with SPOT

• Do you want to share your research with the public? We are always looking for more ideas for programming for our science outreach program towards elderly populations, Science with Seniors. If you have an idea of a topic you would like to present on, please reach out to emilyschafer2023@u.northwestern.edu.
• Do you think legislators could benefit from learning more about your research or scientific interests? We are currently looking for people interested in writing briefs for local representatives about scientific topics as part of our Legislative Outreach Team. Email kchintam@u.northwestern.edu if you are interested!
• Do you have any news/events/opportunities related to science policy that might be worth sharing? We welcome any items to add to the newsletter! Email spotforcenu@gmail.com if you want to share anything.

 

Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more scipol news and updates!

Upcoming Events

• Picture a Scientist Screening and Discussion. SPOT has teamed up with University of Chicago’s Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (WAGMIP), Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT), and the UChicago Science Policy group to screen Picture a Scientist on Wednesday September 16th. The film will be available to view at your convenience for 48 hours on either the 16th or 17th and there will be a follow up discussion on Thursday September 17th at 5:30 pm CST. To access the viewing link and discussion event, RSVP here by September 14th.
• Welcome Back Event. SPOT will be having a kickoff event on Friday, October 2nd at 12pm. If you’re interested in learning more about existing and new initiatives, as well as meeting other people interested in science policy, please RSVP here.
• Book Club Discussion. If you are interested in joining our Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet monthly! The September book is On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal by Naomi Klein.

 

Other Events and Opportunities

• SACNAS (the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) will be virtually hosting their Annual Midwest Regional Meeting from October 2-4th. The title of the meeting is “Science and Equity: Allyship and Inclusion in STEM and Beyond”. Registration is now open and free!
• AAAS is hosting What’s It Like to Be a Fellow?, a virtual live chat with three AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows about what an S&T Fellow’s day-to-day life is like, at 4pm on September 16. Learn more and register at the AAAS website.
• The Ben Barres Fellowship is a $2000-$5000 award for professional development of trans, intersex, and non-binary graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The application deadline for the first round of awards is September 30, 2020.
• Election volunteering opportunity: The COVID-19 pandemic means that many usual election judge volunteers (senior citizens) no longer feel comfortable serving this role. Volunteer to be an election judge and serve your neighborhood! Find more information here. If you have questions, please contact emmazajdela@u.northwestern.edu.
• The Malta Conferences Foundation, a nonprofit which uses science as a bridge to peace in the Middle East, is looking for volunteers to help with website development, social media communications, newsletter publishing, and more. Click here for more details on how to apply for this professional development opportunity. For more information, visit their website or email malta@mychemist.net.

 

In the News

• Dr. Kelly Singel compiled an extensive list of science policy fellowships — see here for more.
• PNAS published an opinion piece on the science community’s obligation – and opportunity – to inform science policy — see here for more.
• The US will invest over $765 million in a dozen research centers studying AI and quantum information — see here for more.
• An international commission determined that gene-edited human embryos should not yet be used to create pregnancies – see here for more.

 

Get Involved with SPOT

• We are recruiting four people to join an all-new review board for our one-pager program. Responsibilities will include working with the other members of the board, the one-pager writers, and the Legislative Outreach Lead (Kavi Chintam) to ensure one-pagers we deliver to legislators are of the highest standard. Time commitment is dependent on when one-pager requests are received, and will generally entail two weeks of revisions. You will also be required to attend a brief training session. If you are interested, you may apply here by 9/30. Feel free to reach out to kchintam@u.northwestern.edu with any questions.
• Do you want to share your research with the public? We are always looking for more ideas for programming for our science outreach program towards elderly populations, Science with Seniors. If you have an idea of a topic you would like to present on, please reach out to emilyschafer2023@u.northwestern.edu.
• Do you think legislators could benefit from learning more about your research or scientific interests? We are currently looking for people interested in writing briefs for local representatives about scientific topics as part of our Legislative Outreach Team. Email kchintam@u.northwestern.edu if you are interested!
• Do you have any news/events/opportunities related to science policy that might be worth sharing? We welcome any items to add to the newsletter! Email spotforcenu@gmail.com if you want to share anything.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more scipol news and updates!