The Union of Concerned Scientists cordially invites you to the following events at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2025 Annual Meeting, February 13-15, in Boston, MA, and online everywhere.
For those attending in person, visit UCS in the Exhibit Hall at Booth 830! Take action, grab swag, and learn more about science-informed advocacy.
Friday, February 14, 2025
Cultivating Science Policy Partnerships for Equity, Visibility, and Impact
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Room 201 (Hynes Convention Center)
The goal of this interactive session is to spur new partnerships, to forge connections between organizations and individuals, and feature programs and perspectives that span the science policy arena.
Organizer: Holly Mayton, co-founder, National Science Policy Network
Co-organizer: Hallie Thompson, Radicle Consulting
Moderator: Tepring Piquado, Executive Director, National Science Policy Network
Panelists:
- Rachel Owen, RKO Consulting
- Drew Story, Managing Director, MIT Policy Lab
- Melissa Varga, Science Network Senior Manager, Union of Concerned Scientists
Elusive Scientific Integrity Nirvana in the Executive Branch
4:00-5:00 PM ET
Room 310 (Hynes Convention Center)
Twenty-eight agencies have scientific integrity officials and developed scientific integrity policies in 2024 that were assessed by OSTP. So why are inappropriate influence, political interference, and science designed to reach a forgone conclusion still so prevalent in the federal government today? This session will bring together a unique panel of policymakers, academic experts and practitioners from non-governmental organizations to address this question and provide ideas for a way forward.
Moderator: Andrew Rosenberg, Co-Editor, SciLight
Panelists:
- Gretchen Goldman, President, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Kyla Bennett, Director of Science Policy; Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
- Kei Koizumi, Former Special Assistant to the President, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Public Policy Engagement After The Presidential Election
Saturday, February 15, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Room 207 (Hynes Convention Center)
This workshop will emphasize that democratic engagement doesn’t stop on Election Day, and will present ways that scientists and STEM students can engage elected officials, the media, and the broader public to advise policymakers and hold politicians accountable.
Presenters:
- Tepring Piquado, Executive Director, National Science Policy Network
- Melissa Varga, Science Network Senior Manager, Union of Concerned Scientists