November 18, 2025
Science Policy Events at AGU25
Posted by Caitlin Bergstrom
AGU is thrilled to be back in New Orleans and bring you some exciting and informative science policy programming at this year’s annual meeting. Whether you’re new to science policy or are looking to start a policy career, we have a session for you.
This year, all our core programming will take place in AGU Central’s theater space, located in the exhibit hall. Sessions will be 45 minutes long. Presenters will be available after the sessions for questions as schedules allow.
Monday 15 December
Beyond the Bench: Basics of Federal Science Policy & Advocacy Engagement
3:30pm CT
Curious about engaging in science policy but aren’t sure where – or how – to begin? You’re not alone. As political and funding landscapes shift, scientists are looking for ways to engage with policy, advocate for evidence-based decision-making, and explore ways they can extend their impact beyond the field or lab, connecting their expertise and community knowledge into federal action. In this session, staff from AGU’s Science Policy and Government Relations team will help demystify how to start engaging your federal representatives, at any career stage and skill-level. Whether you want to inform legislation, urge the importance of research funding, or just want your voice heard on issues that matter, this session will give you a clear, practical starting point on the why, what, and how to engage with your federal policymakers. You don’t need prior expertise – just curiosity and a desire to make a difference.
Tuesday 16 December
10:00am CT
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 ask questions and discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local, state, federal, or global level.
Honing your Science Communication Skills
11:00am CT New time: 1:00pm CT
As science continues to be under political attack, scientists are increasingly looking for opportunities to better discuss their science and research outside of academic settings. In this session, AGU staff and other experts will offer training for best practices on communicating science. This includes basics of science communication, storytelling, and understanding your audience. Experts will also be available for roundtable discussions for topics such as communicating to policymakers, talking to the media, communicating science through art, and more. Speakers: Caitlin Bergstrom, AGU Science Policy & Government Relations; Sophie Mangassarian, AGU Science Policy & Government Relations; Elizabeth Landau, AGU Science Policy & Government Relations
Beyond Basic Advocacy: Three Effective Ways You Can Impact Science Policy
3:00pm CT
Policymakers at every level of government (local, state, national, and even international) are making decisions that need scientific insight. However, too often, that insight isn’t in the room. This session is for scientists who are ready to go beyond introductory advocacy and step into roles that shape public policy over the long term. You’ll explore three ways to turn your expertise into influence:
• Testifying at legislative or public hearings,
• Serving on advisory boards and commissions,
• Responding to government requests for input and feedback.
Whether you’re early-career or a seasoned researcher, you’ll leave this session with practical tools, inspiring examples, and the confidence to bring your science into decision-making spaces that need it, from locally or abroad. To help put these lessons into action, you’ll also have the opportunity to draft a personal one-pager that communicates your scientific expertise and policy relevance—an essential resource for engaging with policymakers and positioning yourself for future opportunities to inform policy.
Science in the Crosshairs: Navigating Today’s Science Policy Landscape
5:00pm CT
Science doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and today’s policy landscape is shaping the future of research in powerful ways. From shrinking federal budgets and uncertain career paths to new challenges in international collaboration and public trust, the ripple effects are being felt across disciplines and institutions.
Join a dynamic panel of experts for an insider’s look at what’s happening in science policy right now. Panelists will unpack how current decisions are impacting universities, federal grantmaking, early-career researchers, and society at large. You’ll also hear how the scientific community is stepping up to meet these challenges. Whether you’re new to science policy or already engaged, this session will provide timely insights and concrete ways to make your voice heard.
Wednesday 17 December
10:00am CT
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 ask questions and discuss opportunities, resources, and support we have available to engage in science policy at the local, state, federal, or global level.
2:00pm CT
As climate-driven extreme weather events, from historic flooding to prolonged heatwaves, grow in frequency and severity, communities across the country are grappling with compounding challenges. These include longstanding environmental injustices, under-resourced infrastructure, and the emerging reality of climate migration. Scientific expertise is essential for informing not only policy responses at the local and state levels, but also for fostering trust and collaboration with the communities most affected.
This session will explore how scientists can meaningfully engage with both policymakers and communities to co-develop solutions that advance climate resilience and environmental justice. Panelists will share examples of successful engagement on issues such as flood risk, urban heat islands, and the relocation of climate-displaced populations. Attendees will gain insight into strategies for building relationships outside of traditional federal channels, understanding local policy levers, and ensuring science is accessible and actionable for frontline communities. Together, we’ll examine how scientists can move beyond advocacy to become trusted partners in climate resilience conversations, especially in places where science has historically been absent or mistrusted. All levels of interest and experience are invited to attend.
4:00pm
Across all career stages, scientists are seeking opportunities to apply their expertise beyond the bench, especially in roles that influence policy, support evidence-based decision-making, or provide alternative career paths during times of uncertainty. In this panel-style session, you’ll hear from scientists working in a broad landscape of science policy careers – inside and outside of government – and the skills scientists can develop to move into these roles. Whether you’re starting out, mid-career, or simply curious about what else is out there, this session will offer valuable insight tailored to the needs of today’s scientistic workforce. Through real-world stories, guidance, and insights, attendees will come away with a clearer picture of what is possible and how to take the next steps.
Thursday 18 December
Preparing to Engage in the 2026 U.S. Elections
10:00am CT
2026 will be a significant election year for the U.S. Congress. To get more scientists involved in elections work, AGU is offering an overview of what it’s like for scientists to engage with candidates in an election year. AGU staff and our partners will discuss what’s at stake in this upcoming election, ways scientists can get involved in election efforts, and how to convert your plans into actions. Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of the political landscape and an action plan for getting involved.
Engaging Congress Where You Live: Local Strategies for National Impact
11:00am CT
Think you have to travel to Washington, D.C. to make your voice heard? Think again. Some of the most effective science advocacy happens right in your own backyard. In this practical and energizing session, you’ll learn how to connect with your members of Congress at home—through district office meetings, town halls, institution visits, and more. We’ll walk through the who, what, when, and how of engaging federal policymakers where you live and work and share stories of scientists who’ve built meaningful relationships without ever stepping foot in the Capitol. Whether you’re new to science policy or already active in advocacy, you’ll leave with concrete steps to take action locally and amplify the impact of your science. All levels of interest and experience are invited to attend.
Other science policy events at AGU:
Monday, 15 December 2025
Science and Society: Science for Policy I (Oral)
08:30 – 10:00am | 338-339 (New Orleans Convention Center
Science and Society: Science for Policy II (GeoBurst)
10:30am – 12:00pm CT | 338-339 (New Orleans Convention Center)
Science can play a key role in democratic societies in developing more effective and equitable public policies on topics from pandemic preparedness to climate resilience to emerging technologies and beyond. But to do so, scientific advice is needed to provide relevant, credible, and timely evidence to decision makers, optimally within governmental systems that facilitate its access and use. In this session, we seek to highlight research and case studies that illustrate pathways for science to inform policy, whether at the local, state, or federal level.
Science Policy Networking Happy Hour – Rusty Nail.
6:00 pm CT
Come spend some time and network with others who are interested in, engaged with, or curious about science policy! Light snacks will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Tuesday 16 December
Science Policy Roundtable
8:30 am CT
Come for an informal but candid conversation with science policy insiders. All are welcome!
