The MOST Policy Initiative connects Missouri scientists and policymakers during the development of new legislation. The initiative also runs the Missouri Science and Technology Policy Fellows Program, placing Ph.D.-level scientists in the Missouri General Assembly. Director Rachel Owen recently spoke to ESAL about MOST and its importance in Midwestern politics.
Ecologist Allison S. Smith is the community engagement strategist and brownfields program manager for the Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky. ESAL interviewed Smith on how her scientific background both motivates and informs the work in her community.
On November 6, ESAL co-hosted a happy hour with Tech Exchange, a nonprofit in Oakland, California tackling the digital divide. The event included a tour of the Tech Exchange warehouse, where they refurbish electronic equipment for distribution.
The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) empowers the nation’s top researchers to harness their knowledge to inform policy at every level. Over 1,000 members in 49 states apply their expertise to real-world problems and use the SSN to connect with decision makers and have an impact in their communities.
Philip Higuera is an associate professor of fire ecology at the University of Montana, focusing on the relationships between climate, vegetation, and fire activity. Higuera collaborates with community members, policy makers, and land managers to define “resilience to wildfires,” based on human values and the best fire ecology science.
Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally is excited to announce our Local STEM Database. This crowd-sourced resource contains listings of STEM-relevant organizations, content resources, policy fellowships, university programs, and government initiatives and agencies that intersect with communities and city, county, and state government.
Peter Colohan, an expert in environmental information, has spent his career helping institutions like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Office of Science and Technology Policy become data savvy. Today, as executive director of the Internet of Water (IoW), he and his team help local and state governments modernize their water data collection in an effort to safeguard and effectively manage one of the most vital resources to human civilization.
Our latest playbook guide aims to help you advocate for policies at the state level. We share ideas and tips for how to identify stakeholders and set up effective meetings to make your voice heard on issues you care about.
Monya Lane is the CEO of the Livermore Science & Society Center, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with science and technology. The group is in the planning phases of a science center to serve the students, families, and their communities of the California Tri-Valley area.
On September 12, ESAL hosted a roundtable discussion on local water policy in Oakland, California. The event featured a panel of San Francisco Bay Area leaders who contribute to innovation in water-related technologies and policy decision making.
Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers for Healthy Energy (PSE) generates original research on energy production and clean energy transitions with a focus on environmental justice. ESAL spoke with PSE's Elena Krieger to see how they empower community stakeholders to use science and data to create evidence-based policy.
Jennifer Robinson merges her data analytics job at SAS with local government solutions as a long-time elected official on the Town Council for Cary, North Carolina. In these roles, she works with governments and other stakeholders to harness the power of data analytics to improve local systems such as water use.
