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On Friday, April 24, 2026, ESAL hosted the Indiana Statehouse Engagement Day, a civic engagement initiative designed to help STEM trainees and early-career scientists connect their research, lived experiences, and scientific training with local and state policymaking.

The event brought together a mixed cohort of seven STEM trainees and early-career scientists from the Indiana University School of Medicine community, alongside organizers Cherry Cheung and Hanyu Xia, to learn, build relationships, and engage in nonpartisan conversations with policymakers and legislative staff.

Throughout the day, participants met with Melissa Acton from Sen. Todd Young’s office, Sen. Andrea Hunley, Eric Virden from Rep. Carey Hamilton and Rep. Matt Pierce’s staff, and Luke Monroe from Representative Haggard’s staff. 

Rather than focusing on a single policy ask, the day centered on relationship building, science communication, and nonpartisan exchange. Participants introduced their research, connected their work to Indiana communities, and shared their experiences as scientists navigating a challenging academic funding climate.

The response from legislative offices was encouraging. Several staff members and elected officials thanked participants for their efforts as scientists, asked thoughtful and meaningful questions, and expressed appreciation for learning more about the research happening in Indiana. For many participants, this helped make civic engagement feel less intimidating and more human.

Before the in-person event, ESAL helped participants prepare through the Statehouse Engagement Day workshop, where participants learned about civic engagement, communicating science to non scientific audiences, and preparing for meetings with legislative offices. Each participant created a one-page leave-behind document introducing their background, research, and interests. These materials helped translate complex scientific work into clear, accessible messages for policymakers and staff.

The Indiana Statehouse Engagement Day showed that scientists do not need to be professional advocates to engage with policymakers. They can begin by showing up, listening, sharing their expertise, and connecting their work to the communities they care about.

Participant Reflections and Impact

For many participants, the Indiana Statehouse Engagement Day helped turn civic engagement from an abstract idea into something practical and approachable. One participant reflected that scientists have “a valuable role to play beyond the lab,” while another shared that the experience showed them that “our legislators really do listen to us.” Others noted the “deep appreciation and curiosity in science” they encountered from legislative leaders, regardless of political affiliation.

These reflections captured the spirit of the day: civic engagement is not only for policy experts. Scientists have knowledge, stories, and perspectives that can help strengthen public conversations and support evidence-informed decision-making. By providing practical preparation, peer support, and structured opportunities to meet with policymakers and staff, ESAL helped participants see themselves not only as researchers, but also as communicators, constituents, and community leaders.

How to Get Involved

The encouraging participant feedback points to a clear next step: creating more opportunities for scientists to engage locally. Participants left with increased confidence in connecting with legislators and legislative staff, and all survey respondents expressed interest in continuing civic or policy-related activities.

Interest in this model has also continued beyond the event. Organizers received follow-up messages from people who had seen the promotional materials, missed the opportunity, and asked when the next Statehouse Engagement Day would take place.

For STEM trainees, postdocs, researchers, and professionals interested in organizing a local Statehouse Engagement Day or similar civic engagement event, Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally can be a valuable resource. ESAL provides tools, training, and community support to help scientists prepare for meaningful, nonpartisan engagement with local decision-makers. With continued funding and support, this model could grow into an annual pathway for scientists to build civic engagement skills and contribute to Indiana’s broader civic life.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to the following organizations, offices, and individuals: 

Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally
Research!America
Union of Concerned Scientists
Melissa Acton, Senator Todd Young’s office
Senator Andrea Hunley
Eric, Representative Carey Hamilton and Representative Matt Pierce’s staff
Luke, Representative Haggard’s staff
Taylor Spicer, Executive Director, ESAL
Cherry Cheung, Organizer
Hanyu Xia, Co-organizer
Indiana Statehouse Engagement Day participants