Policymakers are more accessible than many scientists think and now is a great time to connect. In our first LSEN Community Learning Forum webinar, Dr. Rachel Owen joined us to talk about building practical, lasting relationships with elected officials.
Joanne Padrón Carney, AAAS Chief Government Relations Officer, opened the session by highlighting the value of scientific voices in policy conversations. Dr. Owen shared honest insights about what works and what doesn’t when trying to engage policymakers. She emphasized the importance of timing, noting that August is a particularly good time to connect since many elected officials return to their home districts and are more available to meet with constituents. She also encouraged showing up with humility and focusing on shared interests as effective ways to build trust and influence.
Resources shared during the session to help you get started:
Outreach Resource Sheet by Dr. Owen- practical tips for starting relationships, building trust, and staying engaged over time
AAAS Federal R&D Budget Program- explore long-term federal funding trends by agency and research type
State R&D Dashboard- access state-level STEM data, including job trends, funding use, and research infrastructure
This webinar kicked off our new LSEN skill-building series, which supports STEMM professionals in applying their expertise at the local level. Up next is Effective Meetings with Policymakers at All Levels on July 30 at 2 p.m. ET: register here.
Webinar recording00:59:06
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