Is it possible to balance a technical career with a life of public service? Al Mendall is proof you can, and that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) training can provide unique tools for policy-makers. A software engineer with over 20 years of industry experience, Mendall has also held an elected seat on Hayward, California’s City Council since 2012. I spoke to him about the path from industry to policy and about taking an engineer’s approach to effective politics.
Josh Lawler, Ph.D. is a Professor of Environmental and Forest Sciences and Co-Director, Center for Creative Conservation at the University of Washington. In November 2016, he got a call from the state of Washington’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC), a legislative office that provides nonpartisan analysis, which led to a rare chance to do research that directly informed state policy.
We are launching a series of blog posts - called "Stories from the Field" - written by engineers and scientists who have helped to promote good governance in their communities through contributions to their city, county, or state government. We hope that their stories will inspire you and spark new ideas, whether you are just getting started with engagement or looking for ways improve your current efforts.
A version of this post appeared on August 30, 2017 in the Union of Concerned Scientists' blog. The original post can be viewed here. The post is reprinted here with permission. “Think globally, act locally.” I first heard this phrase as a child who had just learned about Earth Day at school. To my 11 […]
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) featured an interview with ESAL Founder & Chair, Arti Garg, in the Mar-Apr issue of Fellowship Focus, the newsletter of the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF). The interview is reprinted here with permission.
Aimee Bailey holds the position of Principal, Grid Innovation at EDF Innovation Lab, and has prior energy-related experience in San Francisco Bay Area at PG&E, kWh Analytics, and as a Resource Planner for the City of Palo Alto. She was a "guest of honor" at an ESAL Bay Area event in April.
Thank you for visiting Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally! ESAL is an organization dedicated to increasing local civic engagement by STEM-trained (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals. We are a nonpartisan, non-advocacy group. Our goal is to help you become more involved in your communities by sharing opportunities, organizing events, and providing you with practical information and a forum for sharing ideas and seeking advice.
