PSB 67(3) 2021
REPORT FROM VIRTUAL CONGRESSIONAL VISITS DAY
Each year, the BSA Public Policy Committee awards two early-career botanists the opportunity to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences’ Congressional visits Day. This event is hosted by the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition, and recipients obtain first-hand experience at the interface of science and public policy. The first day includes a half-day training session on science funding and how to effectively communicate with policymakers provided by AIBS. Participants then meet with their Congressional policymakers, during which they will advocate for federal support of scientific research. This article details the experiences of this year’s recipients.
A Personal Account by Mary Sagatelova, MPA
As a graduate student studying Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, I am extremely cognizant of the potential policy implications of scientific research, especially within botanical research. Seldom do I come across research that does not reference policy application in the real world. The more I saw these policy connections, the more I became interested in working at this intersection of science and policy. As such, I felt incredibly honored by the opportunity to be recognized by the Botanical Society of America as a Public Policy Award recipient, and to be afforded the opportunity to attend the 2021 Virtual Congressional Visits Day.
Public affairs—and by extension public policy—can broadly be defined as purposeful action taken by the government in order to address a general issue. Seemingly simple but fraught with complexity, the field of public affairs is often overlooked as one of the most important professional fields in our society. Every niche within society is affected in some capacity by government affairs and the implementation of public policy. Perhaps most salient is the effect of public policy decisions on science and scientific research. Policy decisions have the capability of prioritizing research areas, blocking or authorizing projects, and most importantly, funding our work through federal allocation.
The first two days, I participated in a virtual communications boot camp through the American Institute of the Biological Sciences (AIBS). Despite the virtual setting, I was able to meet and connect with fellow graduate students, postdocs, professors, and botanical professionals, all while learning about the specifics of the policy process. This training covered a wide range of topics! We were provided with the tools necessary to craft exceptional elevator pitches, interact with the media, and effectively communicate our message to decision makers. Through a variety of multimedia resources, practice pitches, and interviews, the training provided through AIBS was instrumental in preparing me for the virtual congressional visits!
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