Neuroscientists at all training and career stages have an important role to play in advocating for science.
After SfN’s Capitol Hill Day in March 2018, four participants who are also volunteer leaders on SfN’s Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) share how they think neuroscientists can influence political and public support for research and ultimately lead to more discoveries.
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American Association for the Advancement of Science |
“Neuroscientists are excellently positioned to explain to lawmakers the critical importance of scientific research to human health and economic development. As experts in our fields and stewards of taxpayer dollars, the scientific community is also obligated to communicate how this money is used and demonstrate tangible outcomes. Therefore, I am eager to encourage fellow scientists to embrace taking on new roles beyond the lab bench to explain why and how scientific research is important to legislators and the general public. Ongoing efforts in science advocacy will be critical for the future of neuroscience in terms of funding and the policies created which impact scientific research.”
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Iowa State University |
“When I realized I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in SfN’s Hill Day, I was filled with a sense of excitement, yet some dread. I knew it would be a great experience to advocate for the importance of funding neuroscience, but I was expecting pushback from policymakers and staff. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see NIH and NSF funding is a bipartisan issue. Furthermore, Hill Day was followed a few weeks later by an increase in the research budget for NIH and NSF. The experience has given me more hope for the future of my career in clinical research, and it has showed me how making time for advocacy can lead to change.”
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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
“As an international participant, no one was in a better position to share with policymakers how NIH and NSF funding have influenced basic science research in a global context. Hill Day is probably my once-in-a-lifetime experience to speak up for my scientific community and friends, and directly to politicians. I enjoy doing something beneficial and with an impact to the field. To me, Hill Day enhanced my sense of belonging to my community. I like neuroscience more than ever.”
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Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard; Harvard University |
“If we want to continue to receive taxpayer money for our important work, we need to learn how to effectively communicate with lawmakers who are influenced by political motivations. Now that I have the tools needed to converse with these individuals and their staff (thanks in part to my year as an SfN Early Career Policy Ambassador), I am empowered to fight for the federal funding we all need to continue making progress towards understanding the complexities of the human brain. In doing so, my fellow advocates and I are contributing to our research fields in ways not feasible from the confines of the lab bench.”
