Middle Career
Experienced
Connecting AGU Members to Federal Legislators
AGU’s Local Science Partners program cements sciences’ place in decision-making and diversifies sciences’ Congressional champions by empowering selected AGU members to build trusting, long-lasting relationships with their federal legislators to advance the policy priorities of the AGU community. Our Partners receive skills-building training in key science policy and advocacy skills and work together with AGU’s science policy team to use their expertise to connect federal issues to their local communities and states.
Our Local Science Partners bring expertise, passion, and a diverse range of interests to their work integrating the sciences with decision-making. Partners range from early-career scientists to distinguished professors’ emeriti; from biologists to geologists to vulcanologists to oceanographers; and from those working in academia to nonprofits to the private sector.
With the skills and training from the Local Science Partners program and the opportunity to attend an annual Congressional Visit Day in Washington, D.C., AGU members will leverage their know-how to influence legislation to benefit humanity and the environment.
Our Local Science Partners are onboarded yearly as a cohort and are expected to participate for a minimum of one year. There are no term limits and Partners may remain in the program as long as they wish while staying engaged and completing policy action items.
Duties and Time Commitment
Our Local Science Partners are onboarded yearly as a cohort and are expected to participate for a minimum of one year. There are no term limits and Partners may remain in the program as long as they wish while staying engaged and completing policy action items.
Depending on what is happening in Congress, Partners typically devote around 2-4 hours to the program per month and/or with their legislator advancing AGU’s policy priorities.
Throughout the year, Partners will receive updates about federal legislation, policy action items, and other engagement opportunities.
We also offer several virtual training opportunities and time to virtually connect with Partners in your region throughout the year.
- Several science advocacy skills-building and learning workshops provided throughout the year by AGU’s staff and guest speakers./li>
- Letters to department heads or organizational supervisors applauding each participant’s program involvement.
- Funding for participants to attend a congressional visits day in Washington, D.C.
- Annual meeting registration for active members.
Criteria
- Want to partner with AGU’s science policy team to help advance AGU’s policy agenda.
- Believe policy is a powerful tool in advancing science and creating change.
- Are highly interested in science communication and in becoming a science policy advocate.
- Recognize that science is important but not the only factor in policymaking.
- Are persistent and willing to push for something important.
- Expect to live in the same district and state throughout the course of the application year.
- Are willing to remain nonpartisan when talking to legislators and maintaining a nonpartisan public/media presence.
Eligibility
2024 Cohort
Each year, we host our Local Science Partners in Washington, D.C. for a workshop and Congressional Visit Day. The workshop is tentatively scheduled for 27-29 February 2024. Hotel and travel are covered for active program participants, and it is mandatory for first year Partners.