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.
The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is a non-profit that harnesses data on science, policy, management and industry in the Great Lakes region. CEO Kelli Paige spoke to ESAL about the services GLOS provides to facilitate management and policy needs in the region.
Lindsey Hillesheim draws from her experience working for the Department of Defense as she leads AI strategy and solutions development efforts at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She spoke with ESAL about how her Ph.D. in physics helps her engage the state’s science and engineer entrepreneurs and actualize their ideas for regional problem-solving.
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.
