The Union of Concerned Scientists is excited to offer a booth and participate in several discussions at SACNAS 2026. Details below. Come find us!
Saturday, October 31
New Strategies for a New Era of Science Advocacy
The speed, scope, and severity of attacks on science over the past two years have been unprecedented, leaving lasting damage to our communities, environment, public health, scientific research, and federal science enterprise overall. The scientific community’s response must evolve to center both science for the public good and democracy in this new landscape. Students, early career scientists, professionals, faculty, mentors–we all have a role to play in defending science and democracy.
This session will highlight examples of new strategies, approaches, and ideas to consider when speaking up and taking action. Our workshop will highlight: 1, how a new generation of scientist advocates is building the skills, networks, and mindset needed to safely and effectively engage; 2, what we can learn from other movements and organizing spaces; 3, how science policy organizations are building collaborations and coalitions to sustain our work; 4, how we can take steps to safeguard both science and democracy.
Our panelists will share lessons learned based on their own engagement and advocacy experiences, as well as recommendations on how we can continue to adapt our approaches after the US midterm elections. Participants will have the chance to explore opportunities to increase their own civic engagement and science advocacy, including ways they can get involved with the Union of Concerned Scientists and Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally.
Session manager/chair: Melissa Varga (UCS)
Time: 10:30am - 11:45am or 1:15pm - 2:30pm.
Room: TBD
Friday, October 30th
From Groundwater Crisis to Community Resilience: Pathways for Just Agricultural Land Transition in California
California's San Joaquin Valley is the agricultural heart of the United States and one of the most groundwater-stressed regions in the world. Decades of aquifer overdraft have driven the worst land subsidence in the country, dried thousands of domestic wells in low-income communities of color, and degraded drinking water quality. Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, roughly 500,000 hectares of irrigated cropland must come out of production by 2040, a transition that will either deepen or begin to repair the Valley's historical injustices.
This symposium traces a pathway from hydrologic diagnosis to community-led implementation: a live physical groundwater model paired with photographic documentation from the Valley; a coproduced, peer-reviewed cropland repurposing framework published in Frontiers in Water; and the community-owned agroecology hub being built in Allensworth, California's first Black-founded town. The session bridges hydrology, agroecology, environmental justice, and community knowledge systems.
Session manager/chair: Pablo Ortiz Partida (UCS)
Day & time: Either 1:45pm - 3pm or 4pm - 5:15pm
Room: TBD
TBD
From Evidence to Influence: How Scientists Drive Policy Change
Session manager/chair: Nick Savelli (UCS)
Day & time: TBD
Room: TBD