CALLING ALL GEOSCIENTISTS: POLICY MAKERS WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Geological Society of America will begin a new public policy initiative in the fall, joining many other geosocieties that have public policy initiatives. The purpose of these initiatives is to communicate with policy makers about the value of the geosciences and to communicate with geoscientists about geoscience-related policy and the federal investment in science. Both goals require the participation of geoscientists and these initiatives are there to help facilitate the flow of information between the two groups.

There are many opportunities for geoscientists to communicate with policy makers. A simple email or phone call to a congressional office is a great way to start your communication and takes less time than you might think. A visit to a district office is also easy to do and very effective. Policy makers and their staffs typically enjoy hearing from a constituent who is also a geoscientist, partly because such visits are rare, but primarily because geoscience is of natural interest to the public and highly relevant to policy making. A visit to a policy maker's office in Washington DC requires more time and resources, but gives you the added opportunity to visit multiple offices, visit with congressional committees and attend congressional events, such as hearings or briefings.

Geosocieties are also involved in much larger and organized events at specific times. For example, Congressional Visits Day in March, brings in hundreds of scientists and engineers from all fields for a one-day workshop on policy and a second day full of congressional visits. Another example is the annual Coalition for National Science Funding Exhibition and Reception in June. At this event, about a hundred scientists prepare about 35 booths that display National Science Foundation-funded science for policy makers. Attendance for the Exhibition in 2007 topped 430 people and continues to be popular with congressional members and their staffs.

All of these opportunities are there for the asking and do not take too much time. Margaret Leinen, the former director of the Geoscience Directorate at NSF suggested that geoscientists are not as active as other scientists in communicating with policy makers. Come learn more about how you can be heard and join other geoscientists.