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