Bottoms Up: Serving Policy Messaging in One Shot

Through examples from my policy work in Congress and as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow, I will share unsung strategies that influence decision makers with one sentence.

More than ever, scientists are called upon by policy makers, resource managers, and other non-scientists to inform legislation, decisions, and regulation. Traditional scientific training does not typically prepare scientists to effectively influence policy.

The current political landscape demands scientists consider their work through pressing strategic and local priorities, and message appropriately using a "Bottom Line Up Front" format. In today's world, audiences no longer appreciate "backing into a story" — sound bites must be reduced to an one-floor only elevator pitch. Position statements may be required with very limited time to prepare, and scientists often miss their shot to inform policy. As a community, we can, and must, do better.