A ten-step guide for engaging in science policy

Now more than ever, pressing global challenges require input from the scientific community for informed decision making. However, this surging interest in science policy has not been met by institutions: little to no training exists in academia exists for those interested in interacting with policymakers. Here, we provide ten practical steps for scientists who are interested in participating, with a focus on state and federal policy in the United States. We first outline self-teaching steps to understand government operations and tailor science communication for policymakers. We then provide action-oriented steps on arranging and navigating meetings with government representatives. Finally, we suggest structural steps in academia can take that will provide more resources for scientists interested in policy. To demonstrate these steps in action, we will also present testimonials from a series of workshops hosted at the California Institute of Technology where a dozen students and postdocs learned about science policy prior to meeting staffers from the offices of Senator Diane Feinstein and Representative Judy Chu. We hope this tangible guide can help bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers and help facilitate further connections between science and policy.