WASHINGTON, DC (September 27, 2021) - The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) are pleased to release the 2021 International Science Policy Memo Competition and Special Topics Issue focused on Intersectional Science Policy.

​This special issue raises awareness of science policy topics that directly affect marginalized scientists and communities, and provides possible solutions by which to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in science policy as laid out by the next generation of leaders in the field. 

“Strong policy memos represent fundamental communication skills for early career scientists who want to engage in policy and advocacy work – brevity, discernment and persuasiveness. The Intersectional Science Policy competition and special topics issue create an opportunity for early career scientists to practice these skills while evaluating solutions to issues facing disadvantaged communities,” said Caitlin Warlick-Short, NSPN Director of Communications.

“The rewards and successes of scientific discovery have been limited by a failure to consider science’s intersection with diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. To progress in science, we must represent all intersections of diversity in scientific effort and knowledge, evaluate research structures with an equitable and inclusive lens, and advance research in support of social and environmental justice,” said Emily Pinckney, Executive Director, 500 Women Scientists; Tiffany G. Harrison, Director, Public Policy Special Interest Group, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) & Pamela A. Padilla, President, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) in the cover memo for this issue.

To advance their ideas and policy solutions, all published authors will be provided with the opportunity to access policy engagement and outreach funds. In addition to the publication, winning policy memos were selected to receive cash prizes.

Winning memos are as follows:

• First place - Bridging The Gap: Demanding 1-1 Representation of Dark-Light Skin Tones Within Medical Lectures/Resources
• Second place- Algorithm Transparency through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Third place (tie) - Addressing Racial Disparities in NIH Funding & Motor Vehicle Crash Testing Regulations for More Inclusive Populations

Honorable mentions:

• Expanding Access to and Ensuring Equity in the Benefits of Remote Work Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Period Poverty: A risk factor for people who menstruate in STEM
• Decolonization of STEM in the Public Education System in Québec, Canada

“This special issue addresses important societal problems in education, work, health, the environment, and other areas, and provides policy solutions centered on diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. We hope this issue will encourage early career scientists from backgrounds traditionally excluded from science policy conversations, to bring their ideas forward and contribute to international policy debates,” says Adriana Bankston, CEO of JSPG.
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This special issue is also supported in-kind 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). JSPG and NSPN partnered with these organizations in a series of writing workshops to provide prospective authors with the skills needed to write effective policy memos on DEI topics. 

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​About JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance is a nonprofit organization and open-access peer-reviewed publication managed by and for students, policy fellows and young scholars in science, technology and innovation policy. JSPG publishes high-quality articles covering the widest range of topics in formats that are accessible to policymakers. Since 2011, JSPG has served as a vehicle for students and early career researchers to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more.

​About NSPN
The National Science Policy Network (NSPN) is a grassroots, member-based organization that catalyzes the engagement of early career scientists and engineers in policy making by fostering an inclusive community, training new generations of diverse leaders, and empowering advocates for the role of science in society. In addition to the policy memo competition in collaboration with JSPG, NSPN supports a variety of other activities, including grants, internships, externships and their annual National Science Policy Symposium. Visit scipolnetwork.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolNetwork to learn more.
 
About SACNAS
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers and positions of leadership in STEM. Visit sacnas.org and follow on Twitter @sacnas to learn more.
 
About 500 Women Scientists
500 Women Scientists is a grassroots organization committed to speaking up for science and for marginalized communities in science, as well as confronting the shameful history of science being used to harm people - and the participation of the scientific community in this harm. More than 20,000 women of STEM and supporters from more than 100 countries have signed in support of 500 Women Scientists, pledging to build an inclusive scientific community dedicated to training a more diverse group of future leaders in science and to use the language of science to bridge divides and enhance global diplomacy. Visit 500womenscientists.org and follow on Twitter @500womensci to learn more.
 
About NSBE
With more than 700 chapters and more than 21,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. NSBE, founded in 1975, supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” Visit nsbe.org and follow on Twitter @NSBE to learn more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (September 13, 2021) - The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society are pleased to launch a call for papers and competition focused on Re-envisioning STEM Education and Workforce Development for the 21st Century.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted future generations in terms of educational opportunities, learning formats, and STEM workforce structure. This new landscape will require novel, flexible entry points and pathways to recruit, develop, and retain the STEM workforce of the 21st century.

We invite students, post-docs, policy fellows, and early career professionals worldwide to submit op-eds and policy position papers to re-envision the landscape of STEM education and workforce development in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to build forward a future that is focused on equity and inclusion, access to technology, and aligning training opportunities with workforce demands.

The call for papers and competition for op-eds and policy position papers will result in a Special Topics Issue of JSPG to be released in 2022 that will comprise the most compelling papers. Authors of the top three publications will receive cash prizes.

“As we consider the fundamentally different landscape of STEM education and workforce development resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to launch this call for papers and competition with Sigma Xi to engage the next generation in re-envisioning the future of the field,” said Adriana Bankston, CEO and managing publisher of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated educational inadequacies and inequities for students pursuing STEM careers. This partnership with JSPG will harness the knowledge and experience of emerging leaders to help build more equitable and effective education and training programs,” said Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO of Sigma Xi and publisher of American Scientist magazine.​

As part of this partnership, JSPG and Sigma Xi will host a series of educational webinars led by experts from Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), New America, and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to examine policy changes in STEM education and workforce development that are needed to facilitate adaptations to a new environment for work and education, and to re-envision the future of the field in the light of changes accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as advances in technology, public tolerance for new work and educational models, and demographic shifts. In addition, JSPG and Sigma Xi will organize a policy writing workshop to help prospective authors improve their submissions to the special issue.

This Special Topics Issue is also supported in-kind by outreach partners from STEM Education Coalition, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, ​​MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium, Duke Science & Society and Science is US, whose contributions will elevate the policy ideas in STEM education and workforce development put forth by the next generation across national and international platforms.

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About JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance is a nonprofit organization and open-access peer-reviewed publication managed by and for students, policy fellows and young scholars in science, technology and innovation policy. JSPG publishes high-quality articles covering the widest range of topics in formats that are accessible to policymakers. Since 2011, JSPG has served as a vehicle for students and early career researchers to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more.
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About Sigma Xi
​Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, founded in 1886, is the world’s largest multidisciplinary honor society exclusively for scientists and engineers. The Society’s mission is to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition. Over 500 Sigma Xi chapters can be found wherever scientific research is undertaken at colleges, universities, government laboratories, and industry research centers worldwide. Among our 100,000 inductees, more than 200 are Nobel Prize winners. The Society is based in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Visit sigmaxi.org and follow on Twitter @SigmaXiSociety to learn more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC (September 8, 2021) – Today, the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) announced the addition of Sudip Parikh, CEO of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals, to the Advisory Board. ​The JSPG advisory board is composed of some of the most distinguished leaders in science, technology, and innovation policy and governance.

Members of the JSPG advisory board share our mission of empowering students and early career researchers to substantively engage in the policymaking and debate process through rigorous research and clear and concise writing.​

“I am honored to join the advisory board of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance and applaud the team at JSPG for their dedication to offering an outlet for students and early-career researchers interested in science policy research and writing," said Sudip Parikh.

“Over the past decade, JSPG’s advisory board has helped catalyze the engagement of students and early career scholars in international debate and discourse in science, technology and innovation policy. As a well-recognized figure in this field, Sudip Parikh has made significant contributions to the science policy landscape at multiple levels,” said Adriana Bankston, JSPG CEO. “We are delighted to welcome Sudip Parikh to the JSPG advisory board and look forward to continued collaborations with AAAS around our common mission to develop the next generation of science policy leaders.”

Sudip Parikh joins the JSPG advisory board alongside other distinguished leaders who have been at the forefront of science policy for many years and in many cases have defined the field as we know it today. We are grateful for their continued guidance and expertise as we enter the next decade of innovation for the journal. Read more about Sudip Parikh here.

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ABOUT JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is a nonprofit organization and open-access peer- reviewed publication managed by and for students, policy fellows, and young scholars in science, technology, and innovation policy. Since 2011, JSPG has served as a vehicle for students and early career researchers to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more.

ABOUT AAAS 
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, see aaas.org.