The Bridge: Connecting Science and Policy

January 24, 2022

Engaging in local elections: how one scientist help elevate science in Boston

Leticia Lee is a PhD student in Earth and Environment at Boston University in Massachusetts and a member of the 2021-2022 Voices for Science cohort.. She worked with the Boston Candidate Science Survey in 2021 to help raise science issues with local candidates. In 2021, as part of the AGU’s Voices for Science Program, I worked on a non-partisan project to inform voters about the positions and plans for …

February 26, 2021

Biden’s first 30 days in office: what it’s meant for science

President Biden campaigned on bringing science back to the center of policy. Knowing this, AGU shared a First 100 Days Memo with the Biden-Harris Transition team, laying out key priorities for climate change, the role of science, and a strong, diverse and inclusive scientific workforce. Now, a little more than a month into the Biden administration, we take a closer look at what progress has – and has not – …

January 6, 2021

A new Congress and a new administration: what to expect in 2021

The year 2020 was monumental for U.S. elections: more than 159 million people voted, the highest number ever recorded in an election. President Joseph R. Biden’s win was certified on 6 January by Congress. Already, President Biden has shared his priorities for his time in office: COVID-19, economic recovery, addressing racial equity and climate change. Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives and flipped the Senate, giving President-elect Biden …

November 6, 2020

Restoring Science, Protecting the Public: Recommendations for Federal Agencies in the Next Presidential Term 

By Cheyenne Young, AGU’s Fall 2020 Public Affairs Intern Amid the ongoing elections, the United States is facing the public health crisis COVID-19 and the climate crisis, in addition to tackling years of social injustice. Thousands of highly qualified professionals employed in U.S. government agencies are working to create comprehensive solutions to address these challenges. While each agency has a different purpose, all share the same goal of serving …

March 3, 2020

The Future Needs Science. The U.S. Elections Need You.

AGU is launching the Science Votes the Future campaign to get candidates speaking about science and to get scientists to the polls. With the 2020 U.S. election season well underway—not just for the president but for many other national, state, and local elections—we haven’t heard enough about the essential role that science plays in our society. Scientific research is a critical part of understanding how climate change will affect …

May 21, 2018

Building Influence in an Election Year

“Once you hear the thunder, it’s too late to build the ark.” When I heard this phrase, I was immediately struck by how perfectly it summarizes the importance of engaging with your legislators. It’s imperative to engage with and know your legislators before you need something from them. As it’s an election year, legislators are more focused on constituents than ever. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know …

April 2, 2018

Marching for Science? Know Your Rights

Today’s post is written by the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. Many scientists in the United States have been moved to action as a result of the current political climate. If you’re one of them and you’re planning to join the March for Science on April 14 — or participate in other activism — it’s crucial that you know your rights. Although the chances of running into trouble when you stand up …

November 17, 2016

The Road Ahead

During the long and challenging presidential campaign, discussions regarding science took a back seat. Though many are still processing the results of the election, we wanted to provide some insight into the question “What do the election results mean for science?” For answers, we are looking to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s comments and responses during the campaign. With few discussions of science, insights into Mr. Trump’s position and potential treatment …