November 2021 Newsletter

Hi SPOT,

We’re back with another newsletter chock-full of news and opportunities for you all to take part in! Read on to learn more about what’s happening in the world of NU science policy!

SPOT News and Events

• Board updates: new SPOT President!
  Please join us in congratulating our new SPOT President Kavi Chintam! Kavi will be leading this year’s SPOT initiatives along with our Vice President Emilie Lozier. We’ve also been joined by several new board members – please give them a warm welcome!

 

• Special Joint Event with NETG: November Book Club
  The November book club will be in person with the One Book, One Northwestern book: The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change by Hope Jahren (2020). We are excited to be co-hosting with Northwestern Energy Technology Group (NETG)! The book club will be held on Friday, November 19th from 4-5 pm in TGS Commons. Some snacks will be provided. RSVP to spotforcenu@gmail.com.

 

• Science with Seniors Annual Interest Meeting
  Are you interested in sharing your science with our greater Evanston and Chicago communities? Want to practice your science communication skills? Come join us for an interest meeting on our outreach program Science with Seniors on Friday, November 12th from 12-1pm where we will discuss the program, go over sample materials, and sign-up volunteers. The event is hybrid virtual/in-person at Tech M120 with food provided – register here!

 

• Book Club Discussion
  If you are interested in joining our regularly occurring Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet bimonthly! See above for details on November’s discussion.

 

Other Opportunities

• GEO Community Practicum – Apply Now!
  Interested in working with a scipol or advocacy organization this Spring? The Center for Civic Engagement’s GEO Community Practicum helps PhD students bridge the divide between academia and the wider world by combining a credit-bearing seminar on public scholarship with an internship at a Chicagoland non-profit. Driven by student interest and facilitated by CCE staff, we’ve placed students at more than 100 organizations across Chicagoland, including scipol and environmental justice organizations like Environmental Law and Policy Center, People for Community Recovery, Southeast Environmental Task Force, and Evanston’s Office of Sustainability. Register for a virtual information session on November 10 and apply by our priority deadline on November 14.

 

• City of Evanston Public Comments
  Want to learn about and contribute to policies affecting our local community of Evanston? Attend and participate in an Evanston City Council meeting, held every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. Submit a public comment to be given in person, via video, or via phone here! Find the meeting agenda here to learn when to tune in.

 

• From NSPN: AACR Science Policy Fellowship 2022-2024
  Applications are open for the American Association for Cancer Research’s 2022-2024 Science Policy Fellowship. The two-year paid fellowship includes a rotation through the AACR’s government affairs office, a policy role at the National Cancer Institute, and a congressional office or committee. The application deadline is November 21, 2021. The fellowship is open to current or new AACR members who have earned an advanced degree (PhD, MD, DO, etc) within the past 5 years, or will complete an advanced degree before the March 2022 start date. Learn more here and email any questions to Dana.Acton@AACR.org.

 

• Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program
  The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program is recruiting students to join the federal workforce in support of two agencies. The program places students with critically needed skills into paid internships and aims to develop a diverse pool of talent for these agencies. Participants in the program will receive:
  • 10-12 week summer internship with a federal agency.
  • $4,000 stipend
  • Professional development sessions, including an orientation and networking events throughout the summer.

Applications are due January 14, 2022. Learn more about this opportunity here.

 

In the News

• The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) is happening in Glasgow, Scotland October 31 through November 12, 2021. Over 100 world leaders will come together to set ambitious, albeit necessary, climate goals and discuss plans on how to meet them. Follow @COP26 to keep up with key moments and learn more about the conference here.

 

• The Biden administration’s EPA has announced a three-year plan to address the contamination of drinking water by PFAS, a family of “forever chemicals” ubiquitous in manufacturing and consumer products. Read more here.

 

• The Chicago City Council voted to approve the 2022 City Budget this past Wednesday. The budget includes $101.3 million towards climate investments and $77.8 million towards environmental justice initiatives. Read more here.

 

Get Involved with SPOT

• Looking for a fun way to help people in our local Chicago community understand your science? SPOT’s outreach program, Science with Seniors, needs more volunteers for 2021! You’ll have the opportunity to present science topics of your choosing to elderly residents in both Evanston and Chicago, and practice your science communication skills along the way. Engaging with our local communities helps fight science misinformation and build public trust and appreciation of research, so we need YOU! Email emilyschafer2023@u.northwestern.edu to sign up.

 

• 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!

 

• Interested in contributing to local policy? SPOT is collaborating with Indivisible Northwestern and the Center for Civic Engagement to develop policy recommendations for the allocation of Evanston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for COVID-19 relief. Opportunities to contribute include taking part in community assemblies and writing memos and policies on areas such as climate change and health care. This is a great opportunity to practice your policy-related writing skills and contribute to local policy! Email colleenoaposbrien2024@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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