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Preparing scientists to engage in civic life

The Science and Society Institute (SSI) prepares scientists to actively take part in civic life by providing them with the leadership, media and public policy skills to become effectively involved in science policy issues in their institutions, scientific societies and at all levels of government.

The Initial Science and Society Institute

Bioterrorism, infectious diseases, education and the health of our environment-these are some of the most serious issues facing our country today. On the surface they are very different, but they do share at least one thing in common-a basis in science and technology. How can policy makers effectively address these issues without the input of those who understand the science involved in the problems? And as biomedical science in particular advances and presents society with new challenges (think cloning or the generation of new organs from animals), who will help the public and policy makers understand the implications of these new developments and how they should be used? Clearly, there is a pressing need for scientists who can effectively communicate with the public, policy makers and the press and who understand how to participate in the science policy environment.

The Science and Society Institute was developed by The Pew Charitable Trusts in partnership with the Center for the Health Professions (CHP), UCSF, to respond to that need. At the urging of alumni of the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences who desired to become more involved in science policy issues but felt unprepared to do so, The Trusts made a grant in 2001 to CHP to provide leadership, media and public policy training to 30 Pew Scholar alumni.

Based on the positive response to and outcomes from the initial program, in late 2004, The Pew Charitable Trusts made a second grant to CHP to continue and expand the Institute.

The NEW Science and Society Institute

As of January 2005, two distinct training opportunities will be offered:

• Media and Public Policy training: Funding is available to support two classes of 12 competitively selected biomedical scientists, to be held in Washington, D.C.
• Leadership training: Customized training may be purchased for your organization's or institution's biomedical scientists.

Media and Public Policy Training

The goals of this training class are:

• To provide concrete communication and presentation skills to successfully interact with the media and policymakers and to understand how journalists and reporters work with scientists to inform their writing.
• To provide an overview of how policy is made, who the various players are and how scientists can engage the policy process on issues of concern to them.

Institute class members spend 12 hours with a team of professional media trainers honing their presentation skills and learning to be effective interview participants in a variety of settings (e.g., radio, print and TV). As part of the program, participants prepare and deliver short oral presentations (videotaped for future review) that are constructively critiqued by the media trainers. Each participant conducts a mock press conference, with other class members and the trainers assuming the roles of the media, community activists and other interested parties. The class also includes opportunities to be interviewed by nationally known science journalists or reporters who provide feedback to every participant. The journalists and other guest speakers also teach the participants about what makes news, how they find and utilize their sources, and how scientists can most effectively engage with them to ensure that messages are both heard and reported accurately. Among others, speakers have included Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, Joe Palca of National Public Radio and Susan Dentzer of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

In the policy sessions, participants learn how policy (particularly national biomedical science policy) is made, who the key players are, and how they can engage the policy process on issues of concern to them. Participants meet with scientists who hold important national policy positions, and they travel to Capitol Hill to meet with a panel of current and former congressional staff members, executive branch officials, science society or association officials with policy responsibilities, and government relations representatives. Panelists have included, among others, a professional staff director and member of the House Committee on Appropriations; a former congressional fellow; a former director of the White House Office of Science Technology and Policy; a former branch chief in the Office of Management and Budget; and several directors of federal and state relations for academic institutions.

Individualized Follow-Up

Following the training, interested participants may also take advantage of up to six months of one-on-one assistance from a highly skilled media or policy professional to put the training to practical use. For example, the professional can help the participant write and place an op-ed, make a presentation to elected officials or their staff, or network with others interested in a specific issue.

Two sessions of Media and Public Policy Training are currently planned.

• December 5-8, 2006 (applications due on September 25, 2006)
  
• September 18-21, 2005 (Training completed in DC)

For eligibility requirements and application material, please click here

Leadership Training

The goal of this training session is:

• To provide scientists with the skills and confidence to serve in leadership positions and to manage people and problems effectively, whether in the lab, university or the broader scientific community.

This 1.5 day session provides valuable information about leadership, problem solving and management styles. Topics addressed include leadership and self-knowledge, problem solving and conflict management, building constituencies and working with teams. A combination of individual assessment tools and skills inventories provide the basis for highly personalized learning and coaching. Some tools are completed by the participants themselves and others are completed by their supervisees, colleagues and superiors. This feedback allows participants to compare their own understanding of their management and leadership abilities with the perceptions that others have of them. The completed tools are assessed prior to the training and the results presented and discussed during the session. This module provides each participant with concrete suggestions for modifying his or her behavior to become a more effective leader or manager.

Customized leadership training may be purchased by organizations or institutions who would like to provide it to their affiliated scientists. The program can be tailored to meet specific needs and interests. For a complete listing of affliate programs, please click here.

To view a SSI slideshow, click here.

If you are interested in exploring leadership training for your institution, please contact the program director, Silvia Montano de Jiménez, at 415-476-5116 or montano@thecenter.ucsf.edu.