In the wake of the change of political attitudes towards science, the development of policies and advocacy have become essential to guide the future of science. THE Policy and scientific diplomacy group At Hopkins, a group entirely graduated from the student aimed at ensuring that science and policy remain connected by advocacy, awareness and action.
Brendon Davis is currently vice-president of scientific policy after his previous role as coordinator of the group’s scientific policy. Davis is a fourth -year doctoral student in the Department of Biology, whose research focuses on the use of stem cells in Drosophila as a model to study the mechanisms for determining cellular fate after the replication of DNA. Davis described that his involvement in the group has developed his passion for the intersection of science and diplomacy.
“For scientists, I think it is a bit underestimated how expert opinions play a role in the development of policies or in diplomacy,” said Davis. “The objective is to promote these types of initiatives and the development of policies concerned with science, and beyond that, help graduate students – and largely the general student body – discover these areas.”
The organization focuses on the progress of scientific policy and diplomacy by operating by two subdivisions: scientific policy, which engages with internal policy initiatives, and scientific diplomacy, which addresses the international implications of scientific work.
“(The areas of scientific policy and diplomacy) tend to be underdrawn, especially when they talk about it as a career path. We therefore help students recognize that these are valid career paths. And even if it is not a career, it is certainly a space to participate if you want to shape how science is used by decision -makers, “said Davis.
The group organizes various events throughout the year, including the Congressional Hill Day, where students will develop political initiatives and plan meetings with congress offices to discuss their ideas. Last year, the group’s hill day pushed better ways to make international students from STEM graduates stay in the United States after graduation, promoted sustainable agricultural initiatives and advocated increased funding for women’s health research.
In addition to political advocacy, they also organize memo writing workshops, organize public awareness efforts thanks to a YouTube channel and a blogand guest embassy visits to Washington, DC Meetups at the Embassy series Faced with discussions with scientific officials from countries like Rwanda, India and Japan.
When asked for the situation concerning Federal research financing cutsDavis said that the development of science -related policies has been harmful to science and that the group discussed changes and its impacts.
“What we see, including in Hopkins, are the narrowing programs, the letters of acceptance for the higher education programs and the laboratories are concerned about their funding and the closure,” he explained. “When these things happen, you lose scientists, you lose laboratories, you lose data, you lose model organizations and all this is incredibly prejudicial in the future of science, not only now but 10, 20 or 50 years later.”
Davis has also stressed the importance of being informed and communicating about science convincingly, and shared that the group focuses on the aid to students to get involved in such communication, whether by writing publishers or simply speaking with friends and family.
“I think it is more important than ever that we get involved and that we write statements on how science can be used by the government,” he said.
Davis noted that due to the proximity of Hopkins with the national capital, the group aims to get involved in many advocacy events at DC, including the recent Stand Up for Science Rally. The rally took place on Friday, March 7 under the Lincoln Memorial and attracted thousands of people to protest against the federal financing cuts of the Trump administration. Several members of the Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, including Davis, attended the rally.
When asked what he thought of attending the rally, Davis was surprised by his own positivity towards the situation.
“It was positive in the sense that we had the impression that we can always encourage science, we can talk about science, we can have this hope for what science can bring and love what science and research can do for us. Obviously, there is the negative species of everything that disappears at the moment, but it is pleasant to see its appreciation, ”recalls Davis.
Davis also stressed that a feeling of community really defined the rally on Friday and gave hope about the future of science, despite uncertainty.
“Of a personal level, listening to everyone to talk about their own experiences and others, who are very enthusiastic about their own research – clearly worried – but also really passionate about what they are doing, is full of hope. It inspires me to be even more involved, just for the good of the community and to be able to advance the sciences together, “he said.
For students interested in getting involved in the scientific policy and diplomacy group, Davis suggests being informed, getting involved in advocacy and joining the broadcast be informed of events. Upcoming events that the group plans to host includes information workshops on the National Institutes of Health, a day of visit to the Congress and a visit to the Australian Embassy. Davis also recommended interested students to visit the Scientific diplomacy center Based at the Bloomberg Center at 555 Pennsylvania avenue in Washington DC for a Scientific diplomacy summit April 14 and 15.
Davis highlighted the importance of those of the scientific community as well as all individuals who continue to speak and recognize current political developments, rather than silence.
“The important thing as a study in science or a person who is not involved in science (is to be aware of what is happening and to develop and share opinions with others, because public opinion is ultimately what goes from politics,” said David. “We should continue to talk about all these things and maintain the conversation. We live in a cycle of crazy news that is constantly dismissed: NIH cancels the subsidies, the data is being cleaned up to the government’s websites.
Samhi Boppana helped write to this article.