Happy New Year SPOTizens!
We have a LOT of new initiatives that we are excited to share with you this year. We may still be virtual, but that doesn’t stop us from hearing from experts in science diplomacy, engaging with senior community members, or learning together about the science of processed foods! Read on to find out how to get involved this January and check out the news section for the SciPol current events we’ve been reading and thinking about. Welcome back!
SPOT News and Events
- Science with Seniors
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. - Science Diplomacy Series
Our first event of the new year is coming up, featuring a science diplomacy talk from Dr. Fadila Boughanemi! Dr. Boughanemi serves on the European Commission as the Deputy Head of Unit for Asia, Africa, and Middle East and North Africa in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. In her talk, she will discuss the EU’s policies in international scientific cooperation. See more details and RSVP here! - Writing Opportunity: Science – The Endless Frontier
We will be forming writing teams to submit position papers for the JSPG Special Issue, The Endless Frontier: Shaping the Future of Science Polity! See here for the call for submissions and links to relevant webinars, and keep an eye out for more details from us in the near future! - Book Club Discussion
If you are interested in joining our Science Policy Book Club, please fill out this form. We meet monthly! The January book is Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss.
Other Opportunities
- NSPN recently launched the Lifting Underrepresented Voices (LUV) grant, which supports groups in initiatives that give early career STEM professionals opportunities to explore the use of science in addressing local, state, national, and international policy challenges. This grant is open to all groups (not just policy groups)! See here for more details.
In the News
- Cell Press has begun inviting authors to submit diversity and inclusion statements in their papers. While not a mandatory practice, the publisher hopes to acknowledge those in science that have worked to improve on diversity and inclusion and to encourage others to do more – read more here.
- The New York Times’s “The Year in Climate” summarizes the major climate news from 2020, with links to great articles from their publications – read more here.
- In “How Science Beat the Virus,” The Atlantic’s Ed Yong examines the ways that science succeeded and failed in responding to COVID-19 – read more here.
Get Involved with SPOT
- 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!
Leave a comment