On this episode of "Questions of the Day" on CivicSciTV (recorded on the sidelines of the 2025 Science Talk conference in Raleigh, North Carolina), Fanuel Muindi interviews Taylor Spicer, ESAL's executive director. Spicer provides a behind-the-scenes look at how ESAL fosters civic engagement among STEM professionals at the local level.

ESAL's executive director, Taylor Spicer, speaks on a science policy podcast with Lisa Margonelli, editor in chief at Issues in Science & Technology, about the importance of local connections and engagement and her path to lead ESAL.

ESAL is excited to welcome Al Licata as our new program manager. With a background in neuroscience and nonprofit administration, Al brings a deep passion for both STEM and local advocacy. In this Q&A, they share their journey, motivations, and vision for the role.

Changes in federal policies have had significant impacts on many engineers and scientists as well as the broader scientific enterprise. These changes have implications not just for federal agencies and programs but also for the ways in which science informs decision-making at all levels of government.

ESAL announces Taylor Spicer as its inaugural executive director, effective January 1. As executive director, Spicer will drive ESAL’s efforts toward its mission of increasing local civic participation by scientists and engineers. Her responsibilities include strategic leadership, fundraising, volunteer management, and overseeing operational and organizational initiatives.

ESAL is launching its first Strategic Plan. The three-year plan sets network engagement, organizational capacity, and brand awareness priorities that will support ESAL’s expanding audiences, established and developing partnerships, and evolving opportunities for local civic engagement across the United States. 

In December of 2023, ESAL elected three new members-at-large to our Steering Committee, expanding the committee to 8 members.

ESAL is proud to share our first annual report celebrating the team, programming, content, and communications we have developed from June 2022 to July 2023.

ESAL annually looks inward to assess how our organization is addressing matters of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Learn how we are approaching our JEDI commitments and seeking partnerships for continued growth.