Thank you so much for the earlier posts making sense of the chaotic actions all leading to undermining democracy and mapping out the resistance happening. This guest post was particularly helpful for me personally as a PhD student in Sweden, as these points feel something important even if we are not based in U.S.
As someone in the academic sphere, I see my role as trying to make sense of everything and not lose the bigger picture but I find this to be extremely challenging so I really appreciate these posts!!
As a scientist and a year-long (patient) advocate, here some additional thoughts: Right now, it's the time to stand-up and be counted. Advocacy and activism is all about doing, so it's more important to do something small today than something grand in some far away future. Drop that scientist friend in the US a note you are thinking of them, stand up to incivility on social media, publicly support and share statements on the defunding of USAID, WHO etc. Today and then, every day, as this is about consistency and the long-haul. It's about taking up space in the public debate, to be seen and to not allow a small minority to set the agenda for us all.
Right now, if you look how most scientists react to the NIH budget cuts- most of it is not helpful if not down-right counter-productive. It is focused on themselves- my job, my lab- with only a vague 'society needs research' at the end. While the distress is understandable- this easily reinforces concepts that scientists are some self-centred elite only concerned about themselves- kind of even inviting sentiments of 'now you see how it is for hard-working people to lose their jobs, happens in other sectors all the time'. So right now, we urgently need (among other things) better and more concrete narratives of how Science concretely contributes to our societies, how it saves or improves lives, the environment and some of the beauty, magic and wonder that I think many of us feel about our work. We need to speak up why Academic Freedom matters- it is ultimately a society's 'insurance' against totalitarianism which is precisely why it is under attack right now.
Tomorrow is e.g. rare disease day- there is a lot of one could say about how e.g. policies ensure that also people with rare conditions have a chance, not just the majorities, making our societies fairer and more just.
Some good resources on story telling and system change in general would e.g. be ASHOKA and IDEO (there are many others as well)
https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration (the courses are good but rather pricey; however the blog series is great and covers many topics in sufficient detail to get started)
Thank you so much Anne and thank you Christina. They say a problem shared is a problem halved. It’s such a worrying time and it can feel hopeless; however there are things that can be done and taking some control and responsibility helps.
Scientists can also engage in conversation with local elected officials. Tell them about how science helps your communities, educates children, informs local policy. How do they know your drinking water is safe? How does science/engineering help with traffic flow? Healthy eating? Urban trees? Child development? Substance abuse? Find out what their concerns are.
Positive science communication could be adapted to my act local strategy:
📌..TY
Thank you so much for the earlier posts making sense of the chaotic actions all leading to undermining democracy and mapping out the resistance happening. This guest post was particularly helpful for me personally as a PhD student in Sweden, as these points feel something important even if we are not based in U.S.
As someone in the academic sphere, I see my role as trying to make sense of everything and not lose the bigger picture but I find this to be extremely challenging so I really appreciate these posts!!
As a scientist and a year-long (patient) advocate, here some additional thoughts: Right now, it's the time to stand-up and be counted. Advocacy and activism is all about doing, so it's more important to do something small today than something grand in some far away future. Drop that scientist friend in the US a note you are thinking of them, stand up to incivility on social media, publicly support and share statements on the defunding of USAID, WHO etc. Today and then, every day, as this is about consistency and the long-haul. It's about taking up space in the public debate, to be seen and to not allow a small minority to set the agenda for us all.
Right now, if you look how most scientists react to the NIH budget cuts- most of it is not helpful if not down-right counter-productive. It is focused on themselves- my job, my lab- with only a vague 'society needs research' at the end. While the distress is understandable- this easily reinforces concepts that scientists are some self-centred elite only concerned about themselves- kind of even inviting sentiments of 'now you see how it is for hard-working people to lose their jobs, happens in other sectors all the time'. So right now, we urgently need (among other things) better and more concrete narratives of how Science concretely contributes to our societies, how it saves or improves lives, the environment and some of the beauty, magic and wonder that I think many of us feel about our work. We need to speak up why Academic Freedom matters- it is ultimately a society's 'insurance' against totalitarianism which is precisely why it is under attack right now.
Tomorrow is e.g. rare disease day- there is a lot of one could say about how e.g. policies ensure that also people with rare conditions have a chance, not just the majorities, making our societies fairer and more just.
Some good resources on story telling and system change in general would e.g. be ASHOKA and IDEO (there are many others as well)
https://www.ashoka.org/en-us (different regions have different programs)
https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration (the courses are good but rather pricey; however the blog series is great and covers many topics in sufficient detail to get started)
This was VERY helpful -- thank you to Anne for writing and Christina for posting,
Thank you so much Anne and thank you Christina. They say a problem shared is a problem halved. It’s such a worrying time and it can feel hopeless; however there are things that can be done and taking some control and responsibility helps.
Yeah and finally fuck Trump
This is great, practical advice.
Scientists can also engage in conversation with local elected officials. Tell them about how science helps your communities, educates children, informs local policy. How do they know your drinking water is safe? How does science/engineering help with traffic flow? Healthy eating? Urban trees? Child development? Substance abuse? Find out what their concerns are.
Positive science communication could be adapted to my act local strategy:
https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahagreen1/p/local-action-for-democracy?r=7jhrp&utm_medium=ios
Thank you *so much*. I've started working in citizen science and ecology (with schools in the UK), and this is so useful.
How encouraging, when the the current situation easily leads to despair. Connection and community have never seemed more important. Thank you.
Thank you Anne & to Christina for sharing. It’s heartwarming to hear such rational, evidence based ideas 🙏🙏
Excellent piece. Perhaps more relevant for the USA but there is much we can learn for use in the UK.
yes I think there is much to learn here for UK context too!