Journal of Science Policy & Governance and National Science Policy Network
Third Annual International Science Policy Memo Competition & Special Topics Issue — Intersectional Science Policy — Call for Submissions
The deadline has passed. Read the issue here.
Diverse voices, inclusive communities and equitable policies must be pillars of science and policy. We aim to emphasize and analyze the impacts of science and policy on historically marginalized populations, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, uniquely-abled and other marginalized communities. We hope this issue will highlight ways to craft and implement policies that better serve these individuals and communities.
— Annabelle Lolinco and William Gaieck, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Co-Chairs, NSPN
Over our 10-year history, JSPG has published pieces that address diversity, equity and inclusion in policymaking, but movements like #ShutDownSTEM and COVID-19-related inequities have indicated the need to do more. Through this issue, we look forward to highlighting resources and opportunities that promote intersectionality in science policy.
— Adriana Bankston, Chief Outreach Officer, JSPG
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) are pleased to co-host the Third Annual International Science Policy Memo Competition. This year’s competition is centered around a theme of Intersectional Science Policy.
We are inviting early career scientists and engineers worldwide to work together to submit memos that address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all sectors of science, technology and innovation policy. Submission deadline has now closed, memos should have been submitted to JSPG by May 2, 2021. First, second, and third place competition winners will be awarded cash prizes.
This Special Topics Issue is also supported by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), 500 Women Scientists, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
We are inviting early career scientists and engineers worldwide to work together to submit memos that address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all sectors of science, technology and innovation policy. Submission deadline has now closed, memos should have been submitted to JSPG by May 2, 2021. First, second, and third place competition winners will be awarded cash prizes.
This Special Topics Issue is also supported by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), 500 Women Scientists, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
Guiding Theme:
The 2021 International Policy Memo Competition is intended to raise awareness of intersectional science policy issues that directly affect marginalized scientists and communities. This Special Topics Issue seeks to bring attention to the impacts of science and policy on Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous communities, and people of color, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, uniquely-abled, and other historically marginalized groups. These could be issues related, but not limited to, disproportionate clinical trials recruiting and health outcomes, access to technology and STEM education, insensitive language in scientific papers, or mentor/mentee practices.
Science and it’s resulting policies are fundamental to society and therefore must fully represent all intersectional identities by centering the voices and needs of our communities.
— Lauren Edwards, Interim Executive Director, 500 Women Scientists
Policy Memo Competition:
We invite students, post-docs, policy fellows, and early career professionals to submit policy memos addressing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all sectors of science, technology and innovation policy.
Eligibility: The competition is open to early career science policy authors worldwide, please see JSPG author eligibility submission guidelines here. Submissions will be reviewed for publication using the standard JSPG editorial process. From the memos selected for publication in this Special Topics Issue, external reviewers will select three competition winners who will receive cash prizes. Three memos will also be awarded Honorable Mention.
Eligibility: The competition is open to early career science policy authors worldwide, please see JSPG author eligibility submission guidelines here. Submissions will be reviewed for publication using the standard JSPG editorial process. From the memos selected for publication in this Special Topics Issue, external reviewers will select three competition winners who will receive cash prizes. Three memos will also be awarded Honorable Mention.
- First prize: $1,000 cash prize
- Second prize: $750 cash prize
- Third prize: $500 cash prize
The criteria by which competition prize winners will be chosen can be found in this rubric.
This year, all published authors will be invited to apply for Policy Engagement and Outreach Funds to advance their policy prescriptions before relevant audiences. Up to $5,000 will be distributed to memo authors and teams through an application process through NSPN, and grantees will be required to participate in "Lobbying & Advocacy 101 Training" hosted by Bolder Advocacy before funds can be spent. All published author groups must have at least one NSPN member to have access to prize money and/or Policy Engagement and Outreach Funds.
This year, all published authors will be invited to apply for Policy Engagement and Outreach Funds to advance their policy prescriptions before relevant audiences. Up to $5,000 will be distributed to memo authors and teams through an application process through NSPN, and grantees will be required to participate in "Lobbying & Advocacy 101 Training" hosted by Bolder Advocacy before funds can be spent. All published author groups must have at least one NSPN member to have access to prize money and/or Policy Engagement and Outreach Funds.
Additionally, published authors will be interviewed for episodes of JSPG's podcast, SciPol SoundBites, which enables their publication to reach an extended audience in science policy. Authors will also be invited to participate in outreach events organized by JSPG, NSPN, and other partners once the issue is released.
Guiding Events:
To prepare and incentivize interested authors to submit policy memos for the competition, JSPG co-hosted five writing workshops featuring the Special Topics Issue partners: the National Science Policy Network (NSPN), Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), 500 Women Scientists, and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
The workshops took place over two days. The first day included a lecture on policy memo writing, followed by writing practice in groups. Science policy professionals provided feedback on write-ups, and discuss their feedback extensively with participants on the second day.
Workshop 1: February 27 & 28, 2021: Impactful and Inclusive Policy Memo Writing, co-hosted with SACNAS - WATCH HERE
Workshop 2: March 6 & 7, 2021: Prioritizing Diversity in Science Policy Writing, co-hosted with 500 Women Scientists - WATCH HERE
Workshop 3: March 13 & 14, 2021: Writing Policy Memos with an Equity Lens, co-hosted with NSBE - WATCH HERE
Workshop 4: March 20, 2021: Effectively Writing Memos as a Team, co-hosted with NSPN
Workshop 5: March 27, 2021: Inclusive Policy Analysis and Policy-Making Tools, co-hosted with NSPN
The workshops took place over two days. The first day included a lecture on policy memo writing, followed by writing practice in groups. Science policy professionals provided feedback on write-ups, and discuss their feedback extensively with participants on the second day.
Workshop 1: February 27 & 28, 2021: Impactful and Inclusive Policy Memo Writing, co-hosted with SACNAS - WATCH HERE
Workshop 2: March 6 & 7, 2021: Prioritizing Diversity in Science Policy Writing, co-hosted with 500 Women Scientists - WATCH HERE
Workshop 3: March 13 & 14, 2021: Writing Policy Memos with an Equity Lens, co-hosted with NSBE - WATCH HERE
Workshop 4: March 20, 2021: Effectively Writing Memos as a Team, co-hosted with NSPN
Workshop 5: March 27, 2021: Inclusive Policy Analysis and Policy-Making Tools, co-hosted with NSPN
The National Society of Black Engineers is committed to engineering diversity by exposing and developing it's membership through leadership programs and opportunities. We support efforts to establish and promote policies that improve the workplace and shared environments so that all together we thrive.
— Rosalina Bray, Director, National Society of Black Engineers, Public Policy Special Interest Group
Examples of published memos:
- Paid Family Leave to Strengthen the STEM Workforce (H. Hsain et al. 2020)
- COVID-19 Exposes Urgent Inequities: A Call to Action for Healthcare Reform (P. Bushana et al. 2020)
- Preventing Racial Bias in Federal AI (M. Livingston 2020)
- The Controlled Substances Act and Safe Consumption Facilities (A. Fosnocht et al. 2019)
- Meeting STEM Workforce Demands by Diversifying STEM (S. Benish, 2018)
- COVID-19 Exposes Urgent Inequities: A Call to Action for Healthcare Reform (P. Bushana et al. 2020)
- Preventing Racial Bias in Federal AI (M. Livingston 2020)
- The Controlled Substances Act and Safe Consumption Facilities (A. Fosnocht et al. 2019)
- Meeting STEM Workforce Demands by Diversifying STEM (S. Benish, 2018)
Resources:
Science policy memo writing resources:
– JSPG Governing Board member Erin Heath, AAAS – “Communicating Science Through Policy Briefs”
– NSPN Board member Kumar Garg, Schmidt Futures – “Getting Things Done”
– How to Avoid Common Pitfalls In Professional Writing. John Holdren
- The State of Inclusive Science Communication: A Landscape Study (Canfield & Menezes, 2020)
– How to Write a Health Policy Brief (Wong et al. Families, Systems & Health, 2017)
– JSPG Governing Board member Erin Heath, AAAS – “Communicating Science Through Policy Briefs”
– NSPN Board member Kumar Garg, Schmidt Futures – “Getting Things Done”
– How to Avoid Common Pitfalls In Professional Writing. John Holdren
- The State of Inclusive Science Communication: A Landscape Study (Canfield & Menezes, 2020)
– How to Write a Health Policy Brief (Wong et al. Families, Systems & Health, 2017)
Events and opinion articles:
- Strengths and challenges of intersectionality in STEM (SACNAS)
- Guide to hosting inclusive workshops (500 women scientists)
- Setting equity goals (Union of Concerned Scientists)
- Strengths and challenges of intersectionality in STEM (SACNAS)
- Guide to hosting inclusive workshops (500 women scientists)
- Setting equity goals (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Background:
Since its conception in 2018, the annual JSPG-NSPN policy memo competition has sought to provide a collective challenge that catalyzes the engagement of science policy organizations with local, state, federal and global policy issues.
Submitting to JSPG:
- Please review JSPG submission guidelines found here and competition guidelines (above).
- For additional questions, please contact editors@sciencepolicyjournal.org with "JSPG Policy Memo Competition Issue" in the subject line.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS HAS CLOSED
