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.
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