Vanessa García Polanco is a federal policy associate at the National Young Farmers Coalition, as well as a member of the boards of the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society and Michigan Food & Farming Systems. ESAL interviewed García Polanco about her trajectory to becoming a recognized activist-scholar for equitable, sustainable agriculture and food supply systems in Michigan and beyond.
ESAL volunteer Rebecca Mandt writes about how her experience as a genetics researcher has inspired her to get involved in her own community. She showcases the many tools ESAL offers and encourages readers to take the first step in local engagement.
ESAL volunteer Rachel Burckhardt is a microbiologist and science communicator in Bethesda, Maryland. She wrote about volunteering as a poll worker for the first time in the 2020 election, amid extra precautions due to COVID-19.
Brian Fannon spent 11 formative years as a biologist in Alaskan marine fisheries before returning to North Carolina for his PhD studying the effects of river geomorphology on the landscape. Today, he works as a "Riverkeeper" at non-profit Yadkin Riverkeeper, where he monitors, advocates for, and protects the health of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin.
Amy J. Wilson’s career in technology, social entrepreneurship, and innovation has taken her from D.C. to Oakland, California, tackling projects ranging from government innovation to local public engagement platforms. ESAL interviewed Wilson to learn more about how city governments can use technology and human-centered design to better respond to their residents’ needs and priorities.
On September 30, ESAL and the Ecological Society of America co-hosted a webinar on “Scientists as Citizens: Getting Involved with Local Government.” ESAL volunteers made the case for how scientists can impact city, county, and state policy and presented time-tested strategies for effective engagement.
Ashton Powell is a biology instructor at the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics and elected member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education. He spoke with ESAL about how he uses his research and policy background to improve equity and mental health issues in the classroom.
The AGU's Thriving Earth Exchange program connects communities with scientists to develop community science programs tackling natural hazards, resources, and climate change. These projects are driven by the philosophy that all communities should have access to science.
On October 12, ESAL co-hosted “Science, Technology, and the Vote”, a virtual panel with the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues. Panelists discussed how science and technology can help ensure the fairness, integrity, and security of the voting process.
On September 8, ESAL co-hosted “Beyond the Bench: Scientists Shaping State & Local Policy”, a virtual event with the American Chemical Society. A panel of three California scientists shared their transition into science policy and advice for local engagement.
Ravi Mikkelsen is the co-founder of ATMOS Financial, an organization which builds banking solutions that allow customers to have a direct impact on the transition to a clean economy. He spoke with ESAL about how using his technical engineering degree to tackle climate change in the financial sector.
ESAL spoke with Kendra Zamzow, an environmental chemist in Chickaloon, Alaska who provides scientific input to mining approval decisions on behalf of community groups and tribes throughout the country. The conversation covered the scientific and engineering issues associated with mining and how regulators learn about and use that information.
