ESAL hosted a virtual panel on October 12, 2021 that focused on culturally sensitive solutions to providing sanitary water to local communities in need.

Counter Culture Labs is a community-centered biotech makerspace that provides local engagement through innovative projects in mycology, genomics, fermentation, and more. Learn more about the lab and how they have been able to get the public excited about science.

Psychology PhD candidate Janey Dike shares her interest in trauma-informed, community-based supports and how it has motivated her goal to bridge science and policy.

Environmental science and policy PhD student Chelsea Gray discusses her experience as a science advisor and the up-close interaction between law and science-based solutions.

Integrative life sciences PhD candidate Adele Balmer shares her experience with policymaking in Virginia and how the results from a mathematical model she built has inspired her to work in science policy after graduation.

ESAL had the opportunity to sit down with chief data officer for First Street Foundation, Ed Kearns, to learn more about the web tool Flood Factor which helps homeowners across the US determine the flood risk of their property.

Read about the impact of the work done by Professor Denise Chavira’s research group, the Culture and Anxiety Lab for Mental Health Advances (CALMA) at UCLA. The group targets the extra hurdles ethnic minorities in rural communities of the U.S. have to manage around stigma, knowledge, and access to mental health services. Chavira's group is dedicated to improving mental health services in chronically underserved communities by working and building trust in Imperial Valley, California.

One Health Institute (OHI) has played a role in connecting scientists and policymakers in crafting local, science-driven solutions for urban development. OHI has expanded in purpose and scope to serve as that platform for communication and develop brand applications and websites so diverse groups can develop projects together. ESAL had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Susan VandeWoude, director at OHI to learn more about their initiatives.

ESAL interviewed George, a geological oceanographer and a freelance science journalist, about how he found synergy between writing and science in his dualistic career path. George has worked on ocean science and policy issues throughout the west coast, including for the State of California and the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Senior Budget Analyst of Fort Collins, CO, Cody Forst chats with us about a typical municipal budget timeline and how crucial involvement from community members through online feedback and participatory budgeting aid in the process.

ESAL speaks to a former and current members of Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) to learn about how they supports and connect local natural resource managers, researchers, cultural practitioners, policy professionals, community leaders, and graduate students on the Island of Hawaiʻi Island to build adaptive capacity.

This is the second in a series of three articles to help you understand and interpret local budgets. ESAL sits down with Open Budget Oakland’s Felicia Betancourt and Jess Sand to discuss their efforts towards making municipal budgets accessible. Read about how Open Budget Oakland advances local government engagement by combining community and coding.