UC Irvine GPS-STEM

Graduate Professional Success for PhD students and Postdocs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

UC Irvine Public Policy Prep

The past two decades have seen increased collaborations between scientists and policymakers. As these collaborations increase, so does the need for specialized training that will better prepare STEM grad students and postdocs for science advocacy and careers in public policy. UCI Public Policy Prep (P3), organized and funded by GPS-STEM (Previously, GPS-BIOMED), is designed to meet this need. This program incorporates: public policy seminars, communication workshops, trainee working groups led by local advocacy groups or campus partners, and visits to Sacramento & Washington D.C. Recently, the programming has moved towards building learning modules e.g certificate program (below).

 

P3 GOALS:

  1. Increase knowledge of & experience with public policy processes
  2. Increase knowledge of & experience with advocacy related to science policy
  3. Develop the ability of trainees to communicate effectively with members in the policy arena

While the support from Burroughs Welcome Fund (BWF) has ended, we are finding innovative ways to teach policy to junior researchers. One of the latest initiative is Science Policy Podcast series. The series is possible due sponsorship by BWF and bring students, postdocs involved in policy arena as well as policy professionals from all over the country.

Science Policy & Advocacy for STEM Scientists - Certificate Program

Public Policy Prep (P3) Program of UCI's GPS-STEM in collaboration with the Ridge to Reef at UCI, the Journal of Science Policy & Governance and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) presents a Certificate Program in science policy & advocacy for early career researchers (PhD students & Postdocs).

This course is a mix of lectures, panel discussions with experts, peer-peer learning opportunities, power mappingplans & policy pitch building.

The course modules include -

  • Introduction to science policy & advocacy
  • Types of policy (Neuroscience, Cancer, STEM education, workforce development, environmental research)
  • Effective advocacy strategies for policymakers
  • Transitioning into policy careers
  • Effective communication for public policy & advocacy
  • Leveraging science policy training for industry careers
  • Ways to get involved at your local level

 

 

Science Policy Podcast

This podcast series a part of the Public Policy Prep (P3) Program. In this series, we will introduce you to science policy professionals working on the frontiers of policy making, Science & Technology fellows, UCI alumni in policy circles and fellow students & postdocs actively engaged in the policy arena.

This podcast series emanates out of the Public Policy Prep (P3) Program supported by the Burroughs Welcome Fund (BWF). In this series, we will introduce you to science policy professionals working on the frontiers of policy making, Science & Technology fellows, UCI alumni in policy circles and fellow students & postdocs actively engaged in the policy arena.

Select from below or check out our full science policy podcast playlist.

Ep 1: Running for Office - From PhD Lab Bench to Science Policy ft. Tepring Piquado, PhD

October 22, 2019: This episode features Tepring Piquado, PhD, a research and policy scientist from RAND Corps. Dr. Piquado shares how she transitioned from her PhD to a career in science policy as well as her exciting experience running for office.

 

Ep 2: Is Science Policy the Right Career? ft. William Pandori.

This episode features William Pandori, a PhD candidate in the Immunology Department. Harinder Singh, Director of GPS-STEM in conversation with Will Pandori to discuss many ways students/Postdocs can get involved in Science Policy while still in academic training. Notable training opportunities in Policy include the GPS-STEM's Public Policy Prep and American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS).

 

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2016 - 2018 Program APPROACH: We designed a three-tiered program, which fused learning and practice. Trainees chose their degree of participation within the following tiers.

  • Tier 1 (Fall 2017): Trainees gained foundational knowledge and skills by attending a series of seminars and workshops.
  • Tier 2 (W, Sp, Su 2018): Trainees applied newly gained information and skills by examining specific issues in small working groups. The groups were mentored by our community & campus partners including: Alzheimer's OC, Cancer Action Network, RAND corporation, UCI MIND, UCI CNLM, UCI Environmental Health Sciences and UCI Community & Government Relations.
  • Tier 3 (Spring 2018): Select trainees who showed outstanding dedication and teamwork met with legislators, staffers and policymakers at the local, state and federal level.

Tier 1: Building a Foundation (Fall & Winter 2017)

Monday, September 25th: Program Overview & Alzheimer's OC Call to Action (12-1PM, NS2-1201, lunch provided)

Monday, October 2nd: Introduction to Science Policy & Advocacy (12-1PM, NS2-4201, lunch provided)

Monday, October 9th: Know Your Audience: Understanding the Politician (12-1PM, NS2-4201, lunch provided)

**Friday, November 3rd: How Science Policy is Crafted & Career Opportunities for Scientists (12-1:30PM, NS2-4201, lunch provided)  **All attendees can network with speakers at a coffee chat (2-3:30PM) & happy hour (5:30PM) following the seminar 

Monday, November 6th: Effective Writing for Public Policy (12-1PM, NS2-4201, lunch provided)

**Thursday, November 9th: U.S. Science Policy: Advocating for Science in an Era of Polarized Politics and Constrained Budgets (12-1:30PM, CALIT2 Auditorium, lunch provided) **All attendees can network with Toby at a coffee chat (2-3:30PM) & happy hour (5:30PM) following the seminar. 

Monday, November 20th: The Impact of Science & Technology in Advocacy (12-1PM, NS1-1114, lunch provided)

Friday, March 23rd: History of the FDA & Opportunities for Trainees (12-1PM, NS2-4201, lunch provided)

Tier 2: Experiential Learning Through Teamwork (Winter, Spring, Summer 2018)

Within Tier 2 trainees will engage in working groups focused on self-identified interests or activities of our advocacy partners, which include: Alzheimer's OC, Cancer Action Network, RAND Corporation, UCI MIND, UCI CNLM, UCI Environmental Health Sciences and UCI Community & Government Relations. Prior to the formation of the working groups, trainees will participate in a networking event to facilitate the organic assembly of these groups. Once formed, groups must identify specific policy issues, devise talking points and decide on dissemination methods. These methods may include speaking with appropriate stakeholders, writing op-eds, and responding to Dear Colleague letters. A campus mentor or community partner will be assigned to each group to aid during this process.

A detailed schedule of Tier 2 can be found here: UCI P3_Capstone Project Meetings_CORRECT DATES

Tier 3: Science Policy & Advocacy in Action (Spring 2018)

In partnership with UCI Community and Government Relations, select trainees will have the chance to meet with legislators, staffers or other policymakers who are directly linked to policy issues explored during working group research projects. These visits can occur locally, at the state capitol or in Washington D.C. Trainees who are selected will be highly engaged participants who show outstanding dedication, leadership and teamwork throughout their time in P3. **P3 will conclude with a networking & outreach forum bringing together trainees, UCI faculty members, community members and local policymakers. At this event, working groups will be encouraged to present brief overviews of the projects they worked on.**

UCI P3 was created by GPS-BIOMED & is funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

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Science Policy Symposium - 2019: P3 Program of GPS-BIOMED collaborated with SACNAS UCI Chapter to organize OC's biggest Science Policy Symposium highlighting effective and meaningful communication for lasting interactions between scientists & policy makers. The mail goal of the event was to engage policy makers in a dialogue with scientists in understanding their needs and allow for exchange of information.

Keynote Speaker: Farrah N. Khan, Council Member, City of Irvine.

Panel discussion with basic scientists who ran for office : "I Ran for Office, Here's what I learned"

Panel Discussions : Health Policy & Environmental Policy

 

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Capitol Hill Visit Day: On March 25, 2019, 3 active members of P3 program visited D.C and campaigned for effective NIH funding and STEM education policies.

Congratulations to Evelyn Valdez-Ward, William Pandori and Maria Montchal for being invited by American Institute of Biological Sciences to participate in discussions with policy makers in D.C.