RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC—Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, in partnership with the Rita Allen Foundation, welcomes Adriana Bankston, PhD in the position of senior fellow, civic science & public policy. In the new role, Bankston will lead a project that examines science policy engagement at the state level and determines the skills, knowledge, and resources required by scientists to successfully influence public policy.

The Civic Science Fellowship program seeks to broaden engagement with science and research to inform policies and develop solutions for societal challenges. Bankston will work closely with Sigma Xi leadership to develop, launch, and manage an online platform to connect current policy players, showcase policy-engaged organizations, and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to successfully engage and achieve societal change through policy impact at the state level.

Since 2021, Bankston has served as CEO and managing publisher of The Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG), an internationally recognized non-profit organization and peer-reviewed publication dedicated to empowering early career scientists, engineers, and policy professionals in international science policy debate. She is also a biomedical workforce & policy research investigator at the STEM Advocacy Institute (SAi), where she works to cultivate the next generation workforce through science policy. Finally, Bankston is a fellow with Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), where she also received the inaugural ARIS Emerging Broader Impacts Leader Award in 2022. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Developmental Biology from Emory University.

"I am honored to work with Sigma Xi in this new role and contribute to enhancing the connection between science and society through public policy,” said Bankston. “Local engagement of scientists with the policymaking process is critical to developing the next generation of leaders in the field and empowering them to improve society through policy change.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bankston to the Sigma Xi team,” said Jamie Vernon, executive director and CEO of Sigma Xi. “Her expertise will advance Sigma Xi’s efforts to identify synergies within the science policy training ecosystem and increase efficiency and capacity for creating evidence-informed policy at the state level.”

As the senior fellow for civic science & public policy at Sigma Xi, Bankston will be connected to a national network of Fellows from diverse backgrounds working on a variety of multidisciplinary projects. The Civic Science Fellowship program led by the Rita Allen Foundation promotes a culture of civic science in which scientists engage with local communities through a variety of projects, including fostering connections with policymakers.

More About Sigma Xi: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society is the world’s largest multidisciplinary honor society for scientists and engineers. Its 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. Sigma Xi chapters can be found at colleges and universities, government laboratories, and industry research centers around the world. More than 200 Nobel Prize winners have been members. The Society is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. www.sigmaxi.org. On Twitter: @SigmaXiSociety.

Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2022) — The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is pleased to welcome new members to its leadership team. The new staff will lead activities to increase the international visibility, reach, and impact of JSPG’s published work and events. Read the staff bios.

• André Porter, Director of Communications and Public Affairs 
  

André is the Policy Director for Science is US, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He will lead and manage the journal's communications strategy and media outreach. He has experience developing advocacy campaigns and grassroots organizing initiatives to advance support for science and engineering and increase scientific evidence in decision-making. Connect with André on Twitter.

• Julianne McCall, Director of Programs and Events

Julianne is the Co-Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine at the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. She will lead and manage the journal's programming to support JSPG's professional development and training activities. Her experience includes overseeing cross-sector health policy working groups and projects, research grantmaking, and state government interagency efforts. Connect with Julianne on Twitter.

• Shweta Ganapati, Director of Outreach and Engagement

Shweta serves as a Senior Program Analyst in the Canadian public sector working on a broad range of policy priorities and supporting international collaboration in post-secondary research and training in natural sciences and engineering. She will lead outreach and engagement activities to grow the journal's presence and facilitate international partnerships. Connect with Shweta on Twitter.

• Agnes Varghese, Director of Data Analytics and Impact Evaluation 

Agnes is a California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. She uses data-driven approaches to better understand the needs of California's jurisdictions in the face of emergencies. Agnes will lead and manage the journal's data analytics and impact evaluation strategy. Connect with Agnes on Twitter.

• Aaron Conrado, Podcast Director and Producer 

Aaron is a former American Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Fellow at the U.S. Department of Defense. He will lead the revitalization of the journal's SciPol SoundBites podcast, enabling published work to reach global audiences. Connect with Aaron on Twitter.

JSPG seeks to enhance the skills of young scholars in science and technology policy and governance through national and international partnerships, collaborations, and outreach. In 2022, the journal will continue its efforts to publish peer-reviewed articles on emerging, timely and relevant science, technology, and innovation policy topics while providing professional development opportunities for trainees and early career researchers in science policy. These include publishing special issues on science diplomacy, open science, and other areas, in addition to standard issues on a number of topics.

The new staff members will work with the journal's partners to increase the impact and footprint of published work internationally and to enable published ideas to reach decision makers at all levels of government, in particular as we celebrate JSPG’s 10 year anniversary as an organization and move into the next decade of innovation in science policy.

“I look forward to working with these talented science policy professionals at various stages in their careers, and to continue driving forward our mission of empowering and elevating ​​the next generation of science policy leaders on international platforms,” says Adriana Bankston, JSPG’s CEO.

Over the past several months, the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) has undergone a number of staff changes. ​

Washington, DC (June 23, 2021) —  The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) has selected new leadership to manage the Editorial Board. On June 1, Rosie Dutt began her tenure as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the JSPG, kicking off a month of editorial transitions for the journal.

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Washington, DC (April 6, 2021) — The Governing Board of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) has selected Adriana Bankston as the third Chief Executive Officer and Managing Publisher.

On May 3, 2021, Bankston will succeed Shalin Jyotishi, who has been with the organization since 2013 and CEO since 2017. Jyotishi will step into a Senior Advisor role to support the transition and strategic initiatives.