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Washington, DC (October 12, 2020) – The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is proud to announce the release of Volume 17 Issue 02, the 2020 Policy Memo Competition Issue, which was co-issued and organized by the National Science Policy Network (NSPN).

“In a world filled with rapidly evolving information, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more trusted and transparent lines of communication between stewards of science and public policy. Policy memos are a primary example and an essential tool for scientists and engineers to provide analysis, evidence, and recommendations to legislators and the public. We are excited to co-sponsor this second annual Policy Memo Competition with JSPG because it provides an excellent opportunity for so many of our members to begin or continue to develop this skill of concise and effective communication,” said Holly Mayton, NSPN Director of Partnerships.
 
“This issue of JSPG, coming from a large group of authors from across the country, represents a high level of collaborative scholarship by many talented students. This competition regularly produces some of the best works of writing that JSPG is able to publish and this year is no exception,” said Madeleine Jennewein, JSPG’s Assistant Editor-In-Chief for Special Editions.

All memo submissions were reviewed by JSPG, with accepted submissions judged by a special committee formed by NSPN. NSPN provided monetary awards to three student science policy organizations who authored the top three policy memos. The prize money will be used to support and expand programming for the student organizations. Winners are from a number of universities, including: 

1. Emory University, Emory Science Advocacy Network: “Lowering Preventable Maternal Deaths in Rural Georgia”
2. University of Pennsylvania, Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group: “Decriminalize Drug-Checking Technologies in Pennsylvania to Prevent Overdose Deaths”
3. North Carolina State University, Science Policy Pack: “Paid Family Leave to Strengthen the STEM Workforce”

Honorable Mentions include:

• Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Science Policy Group: “Improving Healthcare Access Among the Newly Decarcerated”
• University of Michigan, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program: “Amend Pandemic Preparedness Legislation to Prioritize Diagnostic Test Development and Deployment”
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Catalysts for Science Policy: “Green Infrastructure Incentives to Mitigate Flooding in Madison, WI”

“In many ways the selection of articles presented here really broadens the scope of issues that could be traditionally thought as science policy, applying scientific reasoning and analysis to areas that previously may have been outside the purview of scientists. We are excited to be able to publish these memos at a time when science, and the world of science policy, must work to increase its own diversity and the diversity of areas that it reaches to most effectively improve the lived realities of average people,” said Jennewein.
 
All accepted memos are available to read on the JSPGwebsite. Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to continuing this competition in future years to engage more early career researchers in policy.

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ABOUT JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is an international nonprofit organization and open-access peer- reviewed publication that aims to serve as a platform for students and early career researchers to contribute to the widest range of policy and governance topics relating to science, technology and innovation. Since 2011, JSPG has been the premier journal for the next generation of science and technology policy leaders to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Through innovative partnerships, podcasts and digital media engagement, JSPG aims to empower the next generation in policy debate. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more. Sign up for the JSPG mailing list here. 

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 policymaking by fostering community, training leaders, and empowering advocates for the role of science in policy. In addition to the policy memo competition in collaboration with JSPG, NSPN supports a variety of other activities, including grants, internships, externships, and webinars. Visit scipolnetwork.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolNetwork to learn more. Join NSPN to get our newsletter and more here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​Media Contacts:

​Washington, DC (October 01, 2020) – The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is proud to announce the release of Volume 17 Issue 01, the 2020 summer standard issue of the journal, which was co-issued by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program (STPF).

“2020 is a momentous year and there is much to be studied and discussed in the science policy arena. This is underscored by the fact that this special issue of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance is the biggest ever to date with 21 articles,” said Beth Rosner, Interim Director of STPF. “Vehicles such as JSPG that so ably push forward the aims of science communication are invaluable to society and science writ large, particularly in times like these.”

“When we first announced this partnership with AAAS STPF in June we highlighted the fact that we were amid a global pandemic, a rapidly deteriorating climate, an intensified global national security and digital environment, coupled with deep social unrest,” said Shalin Jyotishi, Chief Executive Officer of JSPG. “Things have only intensified. This has underscored the need for strong science policy practitioners, which is something the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program has done for decades.,”
 
"I am particularly proud of this issue, not only because of the wide breadth of topics addressed, but also the critical lens with which authors have connected science and technology policy with urgent societal, environmental, and justice needs,” said Christian Ross, JSPG’s Editor-in-Chief.
 
“From the analysis of inequitable health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities and critical assessment of key aspects of our voting and judicial systems to the need for more thoughtful and effective oversight of AI in healthcare, and more sustainable environmental practices in light of climate change, this issue highlights the responsibilities of science and civil society to serve the public interest through critical and evidence-based approaches."

Hosted at the world’s largest general science society, the STPF program has helped thousands of scientists and engineers learn about and contribute first-hand to the policymaking process via yearlong fellowships in the federal sector. JSPG and STPF share a mission of connecting science with policy and fostering a network of science and engineering leaders prepared to develop and execute solutions to address societal challenges.

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ABOUT JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is an international nonprofit organization and open-access peer- reviewed publication that aims to serve as a platform for students and early career researchers to contribute to the widest range of policy and governance topics relating to science, technology and innovation. Since 2011, JSPG has been the premier journal for the next generation of science and technology policy leaders to bolster their research and writing credentials in science policy. Through innovative partnerships, podcasts and digital media engagement, JSPG aims to empower the next generation in policy debate. Visit sciencepolicyjournal.org and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more. Sign up for the JSPG mailing list here.

ABOUT AAAS S&T POLICY FELLOWSHIPS
​Since 1973, the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) operate as part of the AAAS mandate to advance science and serve society. STPF fosters evidence-based policy and practice by providing opportunities for scientists and engineers from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to pressing societal challenges. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the federal government and each year the program contributes to a growing corps of more than 3,400 policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits, and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world. Visit aaas.org/STPF and follow @AAAS_STPF on Twitter to learn more. ​