robert gropp, ph.d. director of public policy richard o’grady, ph.d. executive director
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Robert Gropp, Ph.D. Director of Public PolicyRichard O’Grady, Ph.D.
Executive Director
About AIBS
Scientific association dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of society.
• Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences -- became an independent, member-governed organization in the 1950s.
• Headquartered in Washington, DC. • Website: www.aibs.org.
Membership
• 5000 individual members• 200 scientific societies, organizations and
research centers (roughly 100 natural science collections)
• Combined membership of approximately 250,000 individuals
• 16 member organizations target funds for public policy
AIBS Program Areas
• Public Affairs - Public policy, government and media relations
• Education and Diversity Programs• Publications - BioScience,
ActionBioscience.org• Scientific Peer Advisory and Review Services• Science - Conferences, program development
Biology and Policy
- AIBS represents the breadth of biology, but we have a core membership of organismal, integrative and ecological scientists
- We are strategic in what we address–try to focus resources on the issues that others can’t or don’t address, issues of broad interest to biology
Science Policy
• Federal policy focus
• Research funding, integrity (e.g. peer review, politicization), infrastructure
• Primary agency focus: NSF, USGS, USDA, EPA, NOAA
• Education and workforce policy, including evolution
Policy Communication
• Bridge between scientists and policymakers
• Work with media to communicate science to decision-makers and public
• Provide scientists with tools to influence policy and media
• Provide timely policy analysis
Knowledge Transfer
• Provide decision-makers with information– Capitol Hill science briefings– Meetings and conferences
• 2008: Climate, Environment and Infectious Disease• 2007: Evolutionary Biology and Human Health• 2006: Biodiversity: The Interplay of Science, Valuation, and
Policy• 2005: Open Access Publishing• 2004: Invasive Species: The Search for Solutions• 2003: Bioethics in a Changing World
Policy Advocacy
• Lobby lawmakers
• Coalition efforts: Co-chair, BESC and USGS Coalition, participate in CNSF, STEM Ed, Museum Working Group, Coalition of Scientific Society, Campaign Project
• Grassroots advocacy, including training to help scientists be effective advocates
Advancing Policy Initiatives
• Demonstrated need
• Data – scope of problem, informed response
• Broad, sustained, vocal support
• Timing
Metrics – 1
• No hard rules or formulas for measuring impact
• There are tools to track and facilitate communication between citizens and lawmakers – we do not currently use these
• We are aware that past ‘action alerts’ have had impact – we’ve received calls from congressional offices
Metrics -- 2
Capitol Hill activities this Congress –
- Organized science briefing, will do 1 more
- Organized 3 receptions on Hill, will do 1 more
- Organized >125 congressional visits
- Worked to secure legislative language in authorizing and appropriations legislation
- Recognized 2 Representatives and 2 Senators for support of biology
Metrics – 3
The real measure is outcome– Is desired program or funding included in a
formal policy document? – Was the requested funding appropriated? – Is it clear that our message has been
internalized by policymakers? – Is the message clearly and consistently
articulated in policy documents?– Are teachers permitted to teach evolution?
Positive Outcomes
• We’ve been successful in defeating anti-evolution initiatives in states and on Capitol Hill
• Key members of Congress have asked questions and inserted report language into legislation recognizing the importance of biology – significant step forward
• From Hill meetings last week, Appropriators and Science Committee members recognize importance of biology to resolving environmental problems, food & homeland security, energy and health innovation
Political Leadership
• We continue to provide timely analysis to current leadership
• Provide broad guidance to candidates – e.g. suggestions about key skills and abilities for science appointees
• Can’t endorse candidates – can highlight positions and seek to educate
• Have informed scientists about campaigns of interest
On-going Conversations
• Congress – key members of authorizing, appropriating committees, leadership
• Executive Branch – agency and White House appointees, key staff
Messages
Message for New Leadership: Global Climate Change
• Current Congress recognizes significance of GCC and its impact on life
• GCC is now becoming bipartisan• New Administration should be more willing to act
– the question will be balance between research and mitigation, and what types of research
• GCC: Impacts everyone, everywhere. • GCC is also a valuable way to frame our
message – Allows for basic and applied research; taxa or
synthetic; independent and collaborative research
Questions
Please feel free to contact us at:
Robert Gropp – rgropp@aibs.org, 202-628-1500 x 250
Richard O’Grady – rogrady@aibs.org, 202-628-1500 x 258
Thank You
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important discussion
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