October 25, 2024
Join AGU Science Policy at AGU24 in Washington DC
Posted by Caitlin Bergstrom
AGU24 is just around the corner and our Science Policy and Government Relations team has a jam-packed agenda for our members at this year’s meeting in Washington, DC. From science policy 101 to understanding how scientists can engage with congress after the election to exploring science policy careers, we are here to help you make the most of your meeting. Explore our day-by-day schedule below:
Monday through Thursday, daily:
Free Legal Advice for Scientists
07:00 – 20:00 daily, Dahlia Boardroom (Marriott Marquis)
Lawyers from the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund will be available December 9th though 12th for 30-minute, one-on-one, free counseling sessions with scientists who are attending AGU24. CSLDF attorneys will provide free legal consultations on issues facing scientists such as First Amendment matters (for example, issues of censorship or defamation), employment concerns, strategies for safe-guarding online communications from adverse interests, or any other legal issues that scientists would like to discuss. These one-on-ones can be scheduled ahead of time or day of, depending upon remaining availability. To schedule, use Calendly. For CSLDF resources, go to https://www.csldf.org/resources/.
Monday, 9 December
What’s Next for Science Policy? Post – 2024 Elections
14:10 – 15:40, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
The 2024 U.S. Elections will have lasting repercussions for science beyond the country’s borders. What will the President, Congress, and state and local governments prioritize in the coming years? How will these priorities impact research and the community who conducts it, and what does that mean for scientists who want to have an impact on policy?
15:00 – 16:30, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
Have questions about how to get involved in science policy or improve your science advocacy skills? The AGU Science Policy & Government Relations team can help. Stop by our office hours to discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local/state, federal, or international level.
Engaging in Science Policy: Getting Started and Making a Difference
16:00 – 17:30, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
Join AGU science policy staff for an engaging workshop on the skills you will need to have an impact on policy. You will leave with a personalized plan that sets a clear path forward. articulate your transferrable skills, and exercise intentionality in your career exploration journey. This program is open to students and scientists from all disciplines and career levels. During the program, you will engage in self-reflection and self-assessment exercises that will help you clarify which career sectors, functions, environments, and lifestyles are the best match for you.
Tuesday, 10 December
Storytelling and Science Communication for Science Policy Impact
10:20 – 11:50, Treasury (Marriott Marquis)
One of the most compelling means of captivating an audience is to tell them a story–whether that audience is in a lecture hall, in the halls of Congress, on social media, or in your job interview. In this learning panel, we will hear from experts discussing why science communication skills are essential for every scientist, how to use storytelling in your work, how science communication and storytelling are used in science policy, and more.
AGU Special Cohort Program Information Session
13:35-14:05, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
AGU has a range of cohort programs and fellowships open to the AGU community. Each program is an opportunity advance your professional skills, network with colleagues, and get more involved with AGU. Learn about our cohort programs such as Voices for Science, Thriving Earth Exchange, Congressional Fellowships.
15:00 – 16:30, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
Have questions about how to get involved in science policy or improve your science advocacy skills? The AGU Science Policy & Government Relations team can help. Stop by our office hours to discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local/state, federal, or international level.
Building Climate Resilience with Local Policy Action
16:00 – 17:30, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
From raging wildfires, to flooding, to deadly heat waves and more, climate change is wreaking havoc on communities around the world. While climate change is inherently a global threat, the adverse impacts of climate change are manifested largely at the local level and vary from community to community, making local action critical for effective climate resilience strategies. In this session, hear from and engage with a panel of scientists and engineers who are active members of their community and have experience working toward building community resilience to climate change. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive activity to develop their own local engagement plans. All levels of interest and experience are invited to attend.
Wednesday, 11 December
Building Policy for Wide-Open Science
08:30 – 10:00, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
This panel will include those working on open science strategies from federal science agencies as well as academic institutions and the private sector. Each will speak to how the regulations that have been rolled out over the past few years are impacting their work and sector, including how researchers can engage with open science most effectively, what barriers it presents, and what new opportunities it offers. Experts on open science policy will also discuss and what might be coming next in open science policy. We’ll invite questions and discussion on how open science policy has impacted day to day science.
10:00 – 11:30, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
Have questions about how to get involved in science policy or improve your science advocacy skills? The AGU Science Policy & Government Relations team can help. Stop by our office hours to discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local/state, federal, or international level.
10:20 – 11:50 143 A-C (Convention Center)
For decades, the U.S. has been a powerhouse of scientific innovation through funding, encouraging innovation and writing science-based polices and regulations. Today an increasingly complex dynamic is altering the balance of scientific leadership. Reductions in federal research funding in the U.S., combined with strong investments and innovation in countries such as China and India have altered the global playing field for innovation and scientific talent. The private sector is increasingly driving innovation and hiring scientists. And recent US Supreme Court decisions have fundamentally weakened the role of scientific expertise within federal agencies. These factors are altering who reaps the benefits of advances in research and applied science. An expert panel will explore these changes by sharing perspectives on legal and legislative considerations, how emerging private sector companies are challenging the traditional research landscape, and what funding and policy changes are on the horizon at a global level.
AGU Special Cohort Program Information Session
13:35-14:05, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
AGU has a range of cohort programs and fellowships open to the AGU community. Each program is an opportunity advance your professional skills, network with colleagues, and get more involved with AGU. Learn about our cohort programs such as Voices for Science, Thriving Earth Exchange, Congressional Fellowships.
14:10-15:30, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
This session is your opportunity to learn from and ask your questions to a diverse panel of people in science policy careers. Science policy is a multidisciplinary field that spans science, politics, communication, advocacy, and more. Because of this diversity, countless science policy career opportunities can be found for individuals of various levels of education and academic backgrounds.
Panelists will discuss what their work looks like day to day, the impact they have through their jobs, their career paths, and how they reached their current positions.
Thursday, 12 December
10:00 – 11:30, Hall A (Center for Prof and Career Dev) (Convention Center)
Have questions about how to get involved in science policy or improve your science advocacy skills? The AGU Science Policy & Government Relations team can help. Stop by our office hours to discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local/state, federal, or international level.
Community-Driven Science for Policy Solutions
10:20 – 11:50, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
Science has long had a role in informing the development of new policies and regulations, as well as the implementation or enforcement of existing ones. However, focus is too often given to informing federal policy, leaving science underrepresented in local policy decisions affecting communities. In this session, hear from and engage with a panel of scientists and community leaders who will discuss their experiences working to address community challenges through solutions at the intersection of science and policy, including lessons learned and different pathways for scientists to make a difference in their own community. All levels of interest and experience are invited to attend.
How Can Geoscience Unions and Societies Effectively Integrate Science into Global Policy Decisions?
12:30 – 13:30, 207 A (Convention Center)
Join us as we explore the challenges and successes global geoscience unions and societies have experienced by engaging in the science policy process. This discussion will explore whether such representative organizations are fulfilling the expectations of the communities they represent, considering reputational risks, contemplating ways to expand and refine the science policy engagement with policymakers and governing entities.
Hot Topics in Science Policy: A Conversation
14:10 – 15:40, Mint (Marriott Marquis)
Come join in a discussion with people actively engaged in policymaking about science topics they are most closely following and strategize with them about the science information they most need and how they can get it. Following brief remarks from our discussants, we’ll engage in a conversation and brainstorming session with the audience.
Friday, 13 December
08:30 – 12:20, Hall B-C (Poster Hall) (Convention Center)
As society grapples with the urgent need to mitigate climate change, innovative solutions such as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) hold promise alongside uncertainties and risks. Limited research underscores the need for social science to aid in risk assessment and communication as communities and decision makers evaluate the benefits and costs of emerging technologies’ development and testing against the socioecological impacts of climate change. This session will explore social science contributions to the critical nexus of risk assessment and communication in stakeholder engagement for mCDR research and development (R&D). We seek insights on the systematic assessment and transparent communication of risks and benefits of mCDR R&D to local communities, policymakers, and industry leaders, as well as best practices for identifying, evaluating, and managing risks and co-benefits while fostering meaningful stakeholder participation. This session seeks to share knowledge on mCDR as an effective, durable, transparent, and equitable climate solution
