JSPG, Sigma Xi and Rita Allen Foundation Release Volume 23, Issue 2

Media Contacts

Sigma Xi
Jason Papagan - [email protected]   

Rita Allen Foundation
Randi Chmielewski - [email protected]

Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Andre Porter - [email protected]

Washington, DC (March 19, 2024) – The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG), Sigma Xi, and the Rita Allen Foundation are proud to announce the release of Volume 23, Issue 02, the journal’s first Special Topics Issue of 2024, on Civic Science for Transformative Policy Solutions to Societal Challenges.

read the issue

“It is energizing to see the civic science ideas advanced by the emerging leaders contributing to this issue—part of a new generation lighting paths toward a future where science, communities,
philanthropy, and policy better connect to expand benefits for all,” said Elizabeth Christopherson, President and CEO of the Rita Allen Foundation. “We’re pleased to collaborate with Sigma Xi and JSPG to present this opportunity for sharing insights from these pilot programs, systems analyses, and calls for policy change, sparking inspiration for new innovation.”

In the seven published articles, authors in this special issue of JSPG highlight novel funding mechanisms to increase community engagement, support for evidence synthesis and access to preprints, ways to utilize cross-department structures to facilitate transdisciplinary stewardship models, a blueprint for inserting relational infrastructure to grow community engagement, the need for increasing diversity of congressional staffers in the United States, and how funding announcement language can encourage deeper connections to local communities.  

‘JSPG is thrilled to help our authors contribute to the ongoing debate and definition of civic science. These articles, collectively, make an undeniable argument for the mutual exchange necessary for meaningful civic science. Further, our authors highlight and challenge the many institutional barriers preventing such a reciprocal, equitable dynamic between science and the public. It’s inspiring to see our authors expand ongoing debates in energy transition, clinical trials, and more with the utility and impact of civic science,” said Andy Sanchez, JSPG Editor-in-Chief.

Published articles were entered into a competition judged by an external review committee. The journal and the special issue partners are proud to provide first-, second-, and third-place winners with monetary awards. 

The winners of the JSPG, Sigma XI, and Rita Allen Foundation competition for the Special Topics Issue are as follows:

First Place: 
Promoting Transparent, Fair, and Inclusive Practices in Grantmaking: Lessons from the Open and Equitable Model Funding Program — (Eunice Mercado-Lara, Greg Tananbaum, Erin C. McKiernan)

Second Place: 
Community-Driven Civic Science: Relationship Building to Prioritize Public Needs — (Kristine Lu, Colleen O’Brien, Grace Wickerson)
Rethinking Civic Science Funding to Better Support Community Engagement — (Andrea Isabel López, Mónica I. Feliú Mójer)

Third Place:
From Intent to Impact: Enabling Transdisciplinary Research for   Responsible Scientific Stewardship — (Wilson R. Sinclair)

We thank competition reviewers for their efforts and greatly appreciate their input towards selecting the winners: Karen Akerlof (George Mason University), Melissa Varga (Union of Concerned Scientists), Russ Campbell (Burroughs Wellcome Fund), Hallie Thompson (Radicle), Elena Denia (Tufts University), and Christian Ross (Civic Science Consultant).

“The seven articles competitively selected for this issue demonstrate a wide range of timely topics significant to the evolution of the field of civic science,” said Julianne McCall, JSPG CEO & Managing Publisher. “Stretching research from the vacuum of laboratories into real-world settings has not only compelled academics to apply and develop more sophisticated methods of studying and drawing insights but also enhanced our ability as a society to work collectively to tackle the most pressing and pervasive challenges. For our first issue of 2024, during a time of difficulty and uncertainty, we could not have partnered with more meaningful organizations as Sigma Xi and the Rita Allen Foundation to deliver these messages of brilliant, structural, and hopeful solutions.”

This Special Issue is supported in kind by outreach partners from Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL), and the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST).

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About JSPG
The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) is an international, 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 https://www.sciencepolicyjournal.org/ and follow on Twitter @SciPolJournal to learn more.

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 https://www.sigmaxi.org/ and follow on Twitter @SigmaXiSociety to learn more. 

About Rita Allen Foundation
The Rita Allen Foundation is a venture philanthropy organization that invests in transformative ideas in their earliest stages to leverage their growth and promote breakthrough solutions to significant problems. The Foundation is developing new investments, research, and coalitions to strengthen civic science as a growing field of study and area of practice committed to ensuring that all people shape and benefit from science, technology, and innovation. In addition, the Foundation invests in early-career biomedical scholars to do pioneering research, seeds innovative approaches to fostering informed civic engagement, and develops knowledge and networks to build the effectiveness of the philanthropic sector. We embrace learning through experimentation, network-weaving, bridge-building, and knowledge-sharing to advance the civic potential of diverse communities; philanthropy; science, and technology for the public good. Visit https://ritaallen.org/ and https://civicsciencefellows.org or follow on LinkedIn to learn more.

About ARIS 
The Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS) works with U.S. and international scientists and engagement practitioners to build capacity, advance scholarship, grow partnerships and provide resources to help them engage with and demonstrate the impact of research in their communities and society. The work of the center is beneficial to researchers who increase knowledge and discovery, to practitioners who collaborate with researchers and community stakeholders, and to the public who benefit from research and education advancements. ARIS is home to a thriving community of practice including more than 1,000 members. Visit https://researchinsociety.org/ and follow on Twitter @arisimpacts to learn more.

About UCS
The Union of Concerned Scientists is a national nonprofit organization founded more than 50 years ago by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Its mission is to use rigorous, independent science to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. Visit ucsusa.org and follow on Twitter @UCSUSA to learn more.

About ESAL
Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) is a national organization dedicated to increasing local civic engagement by people with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Visit https://esal.us/  and follow on Twitter @ESAL_us to learn more.

About CCST
The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. We engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers, ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation. Visit https://ccst.us/ and follow on Twitter @CCSTorg to learn more.​