SolarYpsi is an ongoing collection of solar projects in Ypsilanti, Michigan, helping community organizations and households acquire solar power, usually at low or zero cost due to creative financing and volunteer labor. Founder Dave Strenski spoke with ESAL about how their work has transformed Ypsilanti into a “solar destination” with over one megawatt of solar generating capacity.
Our latest playbook guide aims to help you find an entry point into local policy engagement through service on an advisory board or commission. We walk you through how to overcome some of the common barriers, including identifying an advisory board and preparing for your interview and service.
Ken Massey uses Ph.D training in cardiovascular physiology to bring a technical background to local policy as part of the City Council and as Mayor of Farmington Hills, Michigan. ESAL interviewed Massey about his career trajectory as a scientist, educator, businessman, and elected official.
At the American Geophysical Union’s 2019 Fall Meeting, ESAL hosted two sessions about scientists engaging as citizens in their communities. They brought together diverse groups of scientists who shared experience, advice, and inspiration about impacting city, regional, and state policies.
On December 10, 2019, geoscientists and policy enthusiasts joined for a Science & Democracy happy hour in San Francisco, a public event that coincided with the American Geophysical Union’s 2019 Fall Meeting. The event was organized by the Union of Concerned Scientists along with ESAL and other partner organizations.
On November 1 and 2, ESAL presented workshops on local engagement at the National Science Policy Network’s 2019 Science Policy Symposium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. NSPN is a nationwide group of early-career researchers interested in science policy.
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.
