Eight things scientists can do right now to stand up to the Trump administration’s attacks on research, public health, and the environment

A guest post by Dr Anne Toomey, author of the book "Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy".

I’m delighted to be able to share this piece by Dr Anne Toomey laying out incredibly useful and practical evidence-based advice to scientists on what they can do to stand up for science in the face of the Trump administration’s attacks. She emailed me with her thoughts after reading my recent post on the fight back. I found her email so helpful that I immediately asked her if she wanted to write a guest post - luckily she said yes!

Dr Toomey is Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University, based in New York City, and the author of the book Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy. Read, take heart, and share.

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The first month of the Trump administration has been deeply concerning for scientists, and the road ahead appears equally grim. Although this situation is most keenly felt among researchers in the United States, global concern is warranted as issues such as climate change and pandemics are not confined by national borders. As an environmental social scientist who studies how science can drive positive social change, I regularly reflect on what scientists—and those who care about science—can do in response to this growing uncertainty and the dismantling of evidence-based decision-making.

Here are eight actions I believe can help us weather the storm, build community, and increase public trust in science for the long term.

1. Follow the (Social) Science:

There is evidence out there! Get informed about what works—and what doesn’t—in changing attitudes and behaviors. The most successful social change movements—including civil rights and the suffrage movement—share common traits: they build momentum through coalitions, successfully engage with civil society, and expand out of existing social networks. One great example of how these lessons can apply to spreading science-based behaviors comes from India. Once considered the polio center of the world, India successfully eradicated the disease by enlisting thousands of volunteers from vaccine-hesitant communities to engage with parents skeptical about the vaccine. Within two years of launching the campaign, India saw its last case of polio, and the disease was successfully eradicated in 2014.

2. Be Savvy and Strategic:

Focus your efforts—specifically and intentionally—and look for existing actions to support. Are there coalitions you can join? Do you have specific skills that could be useful? Educate yourself on the ongoing efforts related to the issues you care most about, be thoughtful about where you direct your energy, and commit to the long game. This includes using social media strategically (and perhaps sparingly). While using social media for news consumption and to express political views is positively correlated with other forms of civic engagement, there are major downsides. Frequent online political engagement is associated with fewer strong interpersonal relationships, can lead people to be more extreme in their views, and can create negative feelings like cynicism and disengagement. Be strategic about how and when you engage online, and recognize that offline, tangible actions are what make meaningful change.

3. Avoid “Denialist” Labels

It can be tempting to label anyone who questions science as a “denialist”. However, as we learned during COVID-19, shaming people often backfires and can drive them to seek information elsewhere. It is important to recognize that those most distrustful and skeptical of science are often the same people who feel that science is disconnected from their lives. For example, students in rural and/or working class communities are less likely to pursue science careers, or even go to college, than their urban counterparts, and less populated areas struggle to retain qualified science teachers. This “psychological distance” is found to be a stronger predictor of distrust in science than religion, lack of scientific knowledge, or even political ideology. When someone expresses doubt, it’s an opportunity to engage thoughtfully and share information, not to dismiss them. This isn’t easy to do, but it can be incredibly powerful. For example, in British Columbia, environmentalists used a method called “deep canvassing” to have hundreds of door-to-door conversations about climate action in a rural community called Trail. The conversations were so impactful that one-third of residents shifted their views on the importance of climate action. The result: in 2022, the Trail City Council voted to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

4. Build ‘Science Capital’, not just “Scientific Literacy”

Research finds that people around the world largely value science and trust scientists. However, trust is complex and varies by community and context. There is a significant divide between communities that are “rich” in access to science and those that are “science deserts,” where people lack opportunities to connect with researchers or engage in science-related activities. This leads to greater psychological distance, contributing to distrust. However, the good news is that the opposite is also true: greater proximity to science fosters more positive attitudes toward science. This underscores the importance of building “science capital” through science-related experiences and knowledge. This goes beyond formal science education, such as enabling students to participate in out-of-school activities, meet people in science-related careers, and engage in conversations about science. Research has shown that these experiences can strengthen connections to science, particularly among young people.

5. Engage in Advocacy and Policy, But Do So Carefully:

Policymakers need to hear from scientists more than ever, but there is a lot of misunderstanding about how to do so effectively. The March for Science, for example, may have inadvertently reinforced the perception that science is a partisan issue. Other efforts might be time-consuming but ineffective, such as trying to get an audience with a policymaker who has no willingness or ability to move on a particular issue. Engaging strategically requires a deep understanding not just of the issues, but of how policymaking works. It means knowing the answers to questions such as: Is there a coalition of lobbyists that is already working on this issue? At what level of government should this issue be tackled? Who are the key players and what are potential leverage points? If we hit a wall, how do we pivot? One good rule of thumb is to not go it alone – assume there are others working on similar issues and seek them out.

6. Donate (Time and Money, but Especially Money):

Some of the most critical efforts to protect our environmental, health, and science institutions are currently in the form of lawsuits. Organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and Protect Democracy are working to challenge anti-science actions through the legal system at various levels of governance. Other important initiatives include:

• Providing scholarships for students, especially students of color, as funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives is being taken away.

• Supporting educational programs that serve underserved communities in science. For example, mobile science labs and civic science programs can help build science capital among young people.

• Funding community-based research to tackle topics that will likely be underfunded under the current administration, such as environmental justice and health inequities in low-income communities of color.

7. Sustain Your Energy for the Long Haul

Take time to feel, grieve, and regroup. These are not normal times, and it’s important to acknowledge the emotional toll of what’s happening. To avoid burnout, balance your work with self-care and fun. Remember why you got excited about science in the first place and try to share that joy and passion with others. Know that it’s not just the success stories that matter; sharing our struggles is also an important way to build connections with others. Research has shown that students who learn about the struggles of scientists (as opposed to only their achievements) are more likely to become interested in science and develop more positive views of scientists.

8. Find Hope in Collective Action

During difficult times, I often tell my students that while I’m not optimistic, I am hopeful. For me, hope is recognizing the enormity of the task ahead but doing what I can anyway. This becomes a positive feedback loop, as when I engage, I connect with others who also care. For scientists, there are many ways to engage collectively: Join organizations, not just scientific ones, but also those related to policy and practice in your area of expertise. Be generous with your knowledge and resources—build community by sharing opportunities and helping those who have lost jobs or faced hardships. Step outside of your comfort zone and connect with people who have experience in social science, policy, and community organizing.

We can do this

The future of science may feel uncertain, but scientists have always been at the forefront of change. By being strategic, proactive, and thoughtful in our actions, we can not only get through this challenging time—we can reshape it. Let’s come together, reflect, act with conviction, and remind the world why science matters.

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If you enjoyed this guest post and have ideas for others, then please do let me know and I’ll see what I can do. Thank you again to Anne for taking the time to write this brilliant piece.