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-BIOMED, is designed to meet this need. We are thrilled to unveil our newest program that will incorporate: public policy seminars, communication workshops, trainee working groups led by local advocacy groups or campus partners, and visits to Sacramento & Washington D.C.

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

APPROACH: We have designed a three-tiered program, which fuses learning and practice. Trainees can choose their degree of participation within the following tiers.

  • Tier 1 (Fall 2017): Trainees gain foundational knowledge and skills by attending a series of seminars and workshops.
  • Tier 2 (W, Sp, Su 2018): Trainees apply newly gained information and skills by examining specific issues in small working groups. These groups will be 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 show outstanding dedication and teamwork meet with legislators, staffers and policymakers at the local, state and federal level. All working groups present their projects at an end-of-year reception.

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.