Cure Violence Global uses public health techniques to to reduce violence in cities. ESAL spoke with Charlie Ransford, senior director of science and policy, to find out more about their approach and how it works.

CovidSMS is a texting service that provides local coronavirus information that formed during the John Hopkins University COVID-19 Virtual Design Challenge. ESAL spoke with Serena Wang, one of the student leaders, to understand more about the inception and development of their idea.

Dale Medearis is a senior environmental planner at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, spearheading their climate and international partnerships. He spoke with ESAL about how policy and technical innovations from abroad can benefit local communities.

The California Council on Science and Technology connects California scientists to policy and decision makers with expert advice on issues such as the environment, education, health, and disaster response. CCST leaders Amber Mace and Sarah Brady spoke with ESAL about the organization’s latest endeavors.

While electric vehicles are a critical part of local climate change and air pollution mitigation, structural barriers create gaps in charging infrastructure for marginalized communities. ESAL volunteer Chris Jackson recently published a policy brief outlining how policymakers can ensure that those benefits are equitably distributed.

As facial recognition becomes widely available, local governments are grappling with whether and how to use it. The Science Policy Group at Berkeley recently published a policy brief outlining how privacy advisory commissions can oversee these technologies.

Ian Simon serves as an elected commissioner of his Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), part of a unique system that gives voice to neighborhoods across D.C. Simon talked to ESAL about translating his federal policy experience to tackle local housing, education, and business issues.

re-Engineered asks engineers to think more critically about what they do, centering on the ideas of environmental protection, social justice, and peace. Founder Darshan Karwat spoke to ESAL about the laboratory's work to develop a new culture of community-based engineering.

ESAL covered an online discussion by the USC Center on Public Diplomacy with California’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis on the state’s response to COVID-19 challenges. The conversation also addressed the growing role of state and city governments’ broader leadership in international affairs.

As protests to address structural racism and police brutality continue, it can be difficult to decide what we can do as scientists and engineers. ESAL's Arti Garg shares specific ideas on how to effectively contribute to your community by voting, engaging with elected officials, and listening.

Engineers and scientists hold a privileged position in our communities, but our civic responsibility does not end with our technical pursuits. Our training gives us unique approaches to using evidence and solving problems, and we can use that to make our communities stronger and better able to meet challenges.

St. Louis Food Angels is a volunteer initiative by STEM students and alumni at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) and Fontbonne University during the COVID-19 pandemic. They serve at-risk community members by handling last-mile deliveries of groceries and healthy food box donations for partners.