The Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) is having a General Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 13th from 5:30pm-7pm in Johnson Pavilion room 501. They will be discussing legislative meeting efforts for Harrisburg and Philly City Hall, new science diplomacy opportunities, their upcoming beach trip, and will be planning the fall semester!
Join the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) for their general meeting!
When: July 9, 2019 from 5:30 – 7 PM
Where: Johnson Pavilion 501.
More details here.
In a recent post for the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) blog, Mara Olenick writes about her experience as a finalist for the AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellowship. Olenick shares valuable insight about preparing for interviews, timing and travel logistics, and other best practices for navigating the week-long interview process.
Read more here.
Join the Penn Science Policy & Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) on June 13, 12-1pm in Smilow 09-146A for a write-in fly-by! This event is an opportunity to pen your thoughts on a topic of interest in the current climate (political or otherwise) – in the form of post cards, op-eds, letters to the editor, etc.
Feel welcome to drop by, pen a post-card, grab some pizza and head back out or stay and write a letter to the editor. Students are encouraged to bring friends and colleagues and to take pictures of postcards and share them (and tag PSPDG! @UPennSciencePol).
In a recent piece for the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy (PSPDG) blog, Mara Olenick, PhD (BMB) writes about her experiences applying for science policy fellowships. Anyone interested in pursuing science policy as a career will be interested to read Mara’s insights on using informational interviews to explore whether a fellowship is a good fit. Mara also shares strategies to manage the application timeline.
Read the full post here.
The Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) will host a workshop with Hannah Silverfine from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
This workshop is aimed at anyone who is interested in being able to effectively lobby for their cause and meet with their representative in government (at the different levels), and make the whole process seem a lot less daunting.
Participants will learn the value of meeting decision makers and the necessary skills to craft a pitch.
When: Thursday, May 9, 2019, 12-1 PM
Where: BRB 251
Lunch provided!
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2VA5juY
This year’s BGS Professional Skills Series will conclude with, ‘Science & International Diplomacy’, presented by Dr. Mahlet Mesfin, Deputy Director of the Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), on Thursday, May 16th, 4:00 – 5:30 PM in the Barchi Library (140 John Morgan). This event is co-sponsored by the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG).
Dr. Mesfin will speak to the intersections of science, policy, and society. An alum of Penn (SEAS PhD ’11), Mesfin joined AAAS in May 2017. She also serves as executive editor of the open-access policy journal Science & Diplomacy. Read more on her background here.
Light refreshments will be served! Please register here: https://forms.gle/wkibmCk5XbQjvNQs6
If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Lopez.
PSPDG will host a hands-on science communication workshop with Eliza Barclay, Health and Science editor of Vox News. Lunch will be provided!
When: April 12th, 12-1 PM
Where: Smilow 09-146AB
RSVP here.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held their Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. this past February 14-18, 2019.
Sam Effron (CAMB) attended, and he shares his personal reflections on some of the meeting’s main themes (such as, “the collectivity of science, the intersection of science and policy, and the complexity of science communication”) via a series of blog posts.
The latest installment in Effron’s 3-part series explores the question, “Where Does Science Fit on Capitol Hill?” Though scientists may understand the need to contribute their expertise within the political sphere, many may not know where to begin. Effron describes the important connections one must forge in order to navigate bureaucratic red tape, such as with staffers, and delves into concepts such as “activated science” that are key for prompting action.
Read the entire article as well as the rest of the series on the PSPDG blog.
“Policy memos are the currency of the advocacy world. Used by political staffers, activists, community organizers, corporate lobbyists, and NGOs, they can be distributed to policymakers, the press, and even the general public. They summarize an entire complicated, controversial topic into a few pages, giving the reader the lay of the land and an overview of how you feel about it in just a few minutes.
Anyone wanting a career in science policy will want experience writing policy memos, and we’re hosting a workshop to teach you all about them! The workshop will include tips and tricks from major political advocacy groups, as well as hands-on learning to give you a head start in preparing for your submission to the National Science Policy Network’s Memo-Writing Competition. The winning science policy organization gets up to $1,000 for programming!
Lunch will be provided!” (Via PSPDG)
When: Tuesday, February 5, 2019. 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Where: BRB Room 253