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.
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