Learn more about the panel discussion ESAL hosted featuring four panelists, all differently positioned to observe the vast changes taking place in working conditions in the sciences.

Career trajectories for people with advanced degrees in science have changed in the past decades, but our general approach to training the scientific workforce has not. Created in the aftermath of World War II, the current system of training scientists in the US relies primarily on research and training grants awarded to principal investigators. Faculty […]

STEM professionals of all career stages, whether well-established or just starting out, have a tremendous opportunity to engage with their communities. From public health to affordable housing, environmental conservation to arts and culture, scientists bring a unique insight valuable to local policy issues both within and outside of the scientific arena. However, the pathway to […]

Amy Sharma, PhD is the executive director of Science for Georgia, an organization whose mission is to advocate for the responsible use of science in public policy, improve communication between scientists and the public, and increase public engagement with science. She chatted with ESAL about the value of factual scientific support to state legislators and interpersonal relationships between scientists and other community members.

Cynthia Prieto-Diaz, a biomedical engineer by training, actively contributes to scientific discourse by volunteering, engaging with city governments, and advocating for STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) involvement and consideration in local governance.Prieto-Diaz currently holds a position on the leadership team for 500 Women Scientists and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cal Poly Pomona-Latin Alumni Network.

On May 8th, ESAL and the Ecological Society of America co-hosted a virtual event centered around the urgency of protecting wetlands and their significance in maintaining climate resilience in the future. Learn about the ways the event speakers encourage public engagement.

The debate around abortion is informed by science, medicine, and public health, as well as ethics. Many people with STEM backgrounds feel compelled to get involved. One way to do this is to have critical conversations with your friends, family, and other members of your community. We hope that the information in this post can serve as a guide for anyone looking to engage in this important policy discussion.

ESAL had the opportunity to speak with the Local Science Engagement Network's campaign director Daniel Barry to learn more about how the program aims to equip scientists with tools for building long-term relationships with policymakers.

ESAL spoke with biologist, environmental and social justice advocate, and founder Monica Unseld about her experiences with environmental justice and how they have shaped her efforts in empowering communities to hold large corporations responsible for adequate public health.