Local Science Engagement Network Community

Last month, Roger Hanshaw, who is a AAAS Member and chemist, and also Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, spoke at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting in Phoenix on the role of scientists and engineers in state policymaking. States have become the one of the key venues for tackling critical policy issues. Many of these issues, such as AI, climate, energy, and food policy, are grounded in science and present a valuable opportunity to be guided by scientific expertise. After the meeting, he shared the following advice for scientists and engineers who wish to engage with their local elected officials:

1. Engage policy makers outside the heat of an ongoing debate.
   This point focused on helping policy makers understand the work scientists and engineers do before it becomes outcome determinative in a political environment. Scientists and engineers should welcome policy makers to their laboratories. This is true not just for academic researchers, but also for corporate scientists. Companies benefit when they help policy makers understand the world before confronting a political question.
2. Don't forget that policy makers always have to balance competing realities.
   Rarely ever do policy makers have the luxury of making a decision without considering long-term economic consequences or the short-term impacts on their community or their region when tough decisions must be made. Many times, even when scientific data suggests another option should be taken, policy makers must balance the technical realities with the short term and long term socioeconomic consequences of their decisions.

Reflecting on this advice, scientists often engage with policymakers only after an issue has already become politicized. But what if we engaged earlier? Before debates take shape and positions harden? When we remain siloed in our labs, policymakers may struggle to understand both our work and its relevance, and in the absence of scientific voices, other perspectives will naturally fill that space. At the same time, those alternative  perspectives matter, and policymakers must balance scientific evidence with local economic and community considerations. I would encourage scientists to have ongoing and proactive dialogue with their local policymakers. This allows scientists not only to share the value of their work, but also to better understand the broader tradeoffs that shape policy decisions.

What are your thoughts on Representative Hanshaw's advice for scientists and engineers?

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Lorenzo Smith
Utah LSEN Liaison
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Agreed, I found Speaker Hanshaw's points to be very salient and thoughtful. The first point would be helpful for anyone interested in engaging with policymakers in general, but the second point underlines the fact that we sometimes forget: that scientists constitute only one part of a policymaker's constituency. It is important that we engage as members of our respective communities and that we recognize that science advocacy is likely to hold the equal weight to all other viewpoints introduced by constituents.

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Jae Wan Ahn
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science and Tech Policy Program
Camp Hill PA
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Thank you, Lorenzo, for sharing Speaker Hanshaw's practical advice. I completely agree with both points.

The recommendation to engage before issues become politicized has been especially valuable in my experience. [Insert your specific example here - see options below]. These low-stakes interactions help policymakers understand the real work behind the data and build trust that carries into later policy discussions.

I've also started asking policymakers early on: "What trade-offs or pressures are you balancing right now?" This simple shift has made conversations much more productive and respectful of the full scope of their responsibilities.

One small addition I've found helpful: Keep the first contact light and relationship-focused rather than policy-heavy. A brief lab tour or informal briefing often opens more doors than a formal ask.

Would love to hear what approaches have worked for others in the network.

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Paul Ganjian, D.D.S.
Dentist & Partner
Next Generation Dental
115 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
nextgenerationdental.com

Active Member of ADA IISD Dental Committee & Columbia University Advocacy
Glen Cove, New York
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