Science advocacy:
Join us!

Black text that says "Science Advocate" with a red DNA strand rendering

With the election of Donald Trump as the next US president, it's not political but factual to note that government support of science is being questioned in an unprecedented way. It's beholden upon us as scientists to explain to the public, whose tax dollars support NIH and NSF, why science matters for society to thrive. Together, Nicole and Stellate Communications are calling on all scientists and science champions to help promote science in 2025.

To read more about the "why" behind this effort, check out Nicole's recent article in The Transmitter. The point of this effort is to help the public understand the "whys" behind what we do. To be successful, these efforts need to be engaging. Emphasizing the throughline from what scientists study to how it might be meaningful for your reader (and all of humanity) is key. Here, we've compiled ideas about how you can get involved.

  • Reach out to your congresspeople

    Ask for a meeting or write letters. The Society for Neuroscience has great tips on how to effectively and powerfully advocate for science with policymakers. The key is to write something memorable and to be specific about what you’re advocating for. 

  • Social media

    Microblogging, such as X, Bluesky, and Mastodon and photo and video sites, such as TikTok and Instagram, are effective ways to reach the public. The key is to not just appeal to other scientists but to connect with people. 

  • Write an Op-ed

    In the right venue, op-eds and guest editorials can be an effective way to widely communicate a compelling message to the public and policymakers. Writing an effective one is its own art.

  • Reach out to kids

    Getting the next generation intrigued is a worthy investment. Good ways to do that include volunteering to speak to a classroom, perhaps through Skype a Scientist, or or writing up your research for kids in Frontiers for Young Minds or Brainfacts.org.

  • Write a public facing article

    Aeon, The Conversation, and Scientific American are great places to start.

  • Organize or speak in a public facing event

    There are many examples of this, including TED talks, TEDx talks, and other events inspired by them.

Outside-the-box efforts

Join existing grassroots community-building and advocacy programs, such as Guerilla Science, which brings science into unusual spaces, such as festivals. Similarly, some communities hold events, such as “Two Scientists Walk Into A Bar”, where two scientists literally sit in a bar and field questions from anyone, about nearly anything.