Science Community News
Call for Nominations: 2024 Golden Goose Award
Nominate your colleagues, collaborators, and role models for a 2024 Golden Goose Award! The Award honors federally funded researchers whose work may sound silly, odd, obscure, wasteful of taxpayer funding, or serendipitous, but has had a major positive impact on society. The purpose of the Award is to demonstrate the human and/or economic benefits of federally funded scientific research. Itās intended to demonstrate that scientific outcomes build upon each other and that the technological advances that flow from them cannot easily be predicted at the outset of a particular scientific research project. Nominations for the 2024 Award are being accepted through…
National Academies Hosting Workshop Encouraging Greater Science Accessibility
On November 30 through December 1, the National Academies of of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will be hosting a public workshop aiming to provide crucial insights and recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This two-day event is set to address topics surrounding scholarly publications and key focus areas of the workshop include promoting equity in publication, enhancing accessibility, addressing publication and increasing transparency of research. The National Academies invites all interested parties to participate and contribute to this vital conversation. For more information and to register,…
NASEM Seeks Experts for the Executive Committee of the Societal Experts Action Network
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicineās (NASEM) Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) (see previous coverage) is seeking suggestions for experts to participate on their Executive Committee. SEAN is a network of leading individuals and institutions in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences that facilitates rapid responses to actionable questions from federal, state, and local decision makers. The National Academies staff will be looking to fill open seats on the Executive Committee of approximately 12 total volunteer experts with expertise particularly in the following areas: Submit nominationsĀ hereĀ by November 27. Follow COSSAāsĀ continued coverageĀ on the SEAN initiative.
Dr. Rayvon FouchƩ Delivers 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture
On October 12, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) featured Dr.Ā Rayvon FouchĆ©, Professor of Communication Studies at Northwestern University, as the 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecturer. The lecture was titled “Embracing the Social in Social Science: Notes for a Technoscientific Future” and addressed contemporary challenges in the scientific community. At the core of the discussion was analyzing the reasons for the reduction of public trust in scientific research, deviations from expert standards, and the feeling that science often excludes or misrepresents certain groups. FouchĆ©’s research underscores this, finding that 80% of university faculty members hail from…
AAU Launches “Fund American Science” Campaign
The Association of American Universities (AAU) has launched a new campaign titled, “Fund American Science: Congress Must Act Now to Fund the CHIPS and Science Act” in response to the insufficient funding for the science portion of the CHIPS and Science Act (see previous COSSA coverage). The AAU stresses that budget constraints and disagreements in Congress pose further threats to catching up to CHIPS and Scienceās funding goals. This campaign calls on Congress to fully fund the amounts that CHIPS and Science authorized for the Department of Energy (DOE)ās Office of Science, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National…
Dr. Rayvon FouchƩ to Deliver 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture
On October 12, Dr. Rayvon FouchĆ© will deliver the 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture titled, “Embracing the Social in Social Science: Notes for a Technoscientific Future”. Dr. FouchĆ© is a Professor of Communication Studies at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrative Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. The annual lecture is a program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicineās (NASEM) Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE). This year, the lecture explores how integrating the social into all scientific inquiry can transform the science we do and why we do it. Register to attend the lecture…
Research!America Opens Applications for Civic Engagement Microgrant Program
Research!America has opened their applications for the 2023-2024 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program. The program supports groups of early career STEM researchers and their projects to increase scientistsā engagement with their local community, community leaders, and elected and non-elected public officials. Microgrants of up to $4,000 will be awarded to STEM graduate student and postdoc-led groups. These funds provide opportunities for grantees to develop skills in areas such as communication and program planning, along with an understanding of public policy and government to have an impact in their local communities. Applications close on October 24. Additional information and application guidelines can be found here.
Call for Applications:Ā NASEMās Mirzayan Fellowship Applications Now Open
The application window for theĀ Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate FellowshipĀ at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is now open. This 12-week fellowship is intended for current or recent graduate students to gain a broader understanding of the role of science and technology in influencing public policy as well as to broaden career prospects outside of academia. The newest cohort will run from March 4, 2024 to May 24, 2024.Ā More information on how to apply is available on theĀ NASEMĀ website and the deadline to apply is October 16.Ā
CALL FOR EXPERTS: Committee on Law and Justice
The Committee on Law and Justice (CLAJ) within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) at the National Academies works toĀ improve government decision making and public policy and promote the understanding and dissemination of research in matters involving law and justice. CLAJās independent, expert reports and other scientific activities identify new areas of research, assist in resolving scientific controversies, extend the research agenda in established areas, promote theory development, and advance research-based policies.Ā The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is seeking suggestions for experts to be considered for the membership rotation or other engagement with…
Currently Listening:Ā How to Get People to Believe in Science Again PodcastĀ
In a new episode of theĀ In Reality podcast, National Academy of Sciences (NAS) President Marcia McNutt and Vidar Helgesen, executive director of the Nobel Foundation, discuss how to counter misinformation and build trust in science ā the subject of a recent Nobel Prize Summit hosted by their institutions. ListenĀ here.
Call for Nominations: The FABBS IDEA Award
The Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS) is welcoming nominations for the Award for Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility ā or IDEA Award ā to recognize and honor distinguished research, professional practice, and activities, that advance these principles in the behavioral and brain sciences. There are two award categories listed: FABBS is encouraging nominations of scientists from minoritized communities and from disciplines and subject matters that have been traditionally under-represented in the behavioral and brain sciences. The winner(s) of the IDEA award will be announced at the FABBS annual meeting in December and will receive $1,000, a…
AAAS Hosts Federal Agencies to Discuss Public Access Policies
On July 17, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) hosted federal agencies alongside the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a discussion, How can public access advance equity and learning? During the first half of the webinar, officials from NSF, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discussed their implementation strategies for public access. During the panel and audience Q&A session, AAAS invited professors and PhD candidates to discuss the effect of public access on universities and students. In accordance with…
NAS: The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research
The National Academies’ Health and Medicine Division announced that they are seeking nominations for 12-15 volunteer experts to participate in the new consensus study tasked with evaluating the current use of the social constructs of race and ethnicity in biomedical research. The study will assess how racialized group and ethnic categories are currently used, review existing guidance for researchers on the use of race as a variable, and provide recommendations to guide the scientific community in the future use of race and ethnicity. The nominated experts should be from the following areas: Submit your nominations by July 15, 2023.
AAPSS and Niskanen Center Hosts Webinar on Preventing Gun Violence in America
On June 10, theĀ American Academy of Political and Social ScienceĀ (AAPSS) hosted a webinar to discuss a collection of reports onĀ Preventing Gun Violence in America: What Works and What is Possible. The collection, published in the AAPSSās journalĀ The ANNALS, consists of fourteen reports focusing on different issues and solutions of gun violence in America, including mass shootings, community gun violence, and intimate partner violence with guns. TheĀ Niskanen CenterĀ co-hosted the webinar with a panel that included one of the reportās special editors, Dr. Kerri M. Raissan, and two authors of the report, Dr. Jaclyn Schildkraut and Dr. Jennifer Paruk. The discussion focused…
Applications Open for the Third Cohort of New Voices Program
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced applications for the third cohort of their New Voices program are now open. The program invites applications from emerging U.S.-based leaders across all disciplines of the sciences, engineering, and medicine. Ideal candidates will have an established record of professional excellence and a demonstrated commitment to service beyond their immediate discipline and institution. Launched in 2018, the New Voices program aims to bring diverse and innovative perspectives from early- and mid-career leaders into crucial dialogues on how science, engineering, and medicine are shaping our global future. Membership in the New Voices program offers…
RSVP: The Census Projectās Virtual Briefing on the Latest ACS Report
The Census Project will be hosting a virtual briefing on Monday, July 24 to discuss its newest report: āAmericaās Essential Economic and Social Data at Risk: A Vision to Preserve and Enhance the American Community Surveyā. Dr. Linda Jacobsen, Senior Fellow at the Population Reference Bureau, will summarize findings from the report and present new sections that spotlight how the ACS informs policies and programs serving veterans and the nationās health care industry. The briefing will also feature former Census Bureau Director Dr. John Thompson. Dr. Thompson will highlight how the ACS fits into broader data collection modernization and dissemination initiatives…
CNSF/CEF to Host Virtual Briefing on Investing in the Development of STEM Talent
TheĀ Coalition for National Science FundingĀ (CNSF) and theĀ Committee for Education FundingĀ (CEF) are co-hosting a virtual briefing titled āThe National Imperative to Develop STEM Talent: Why the Investment in Education Matters.āĀ The briefing will feature an expert panel focused on how the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation can support the STEM pipeline. Panelists include Dr. AndrĆ© M. Green, Chair of the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education at the University of South Alabama, and Mr. Billy Mawhiney, Executive Director of the South Dakota Afterschool Network. The virtual briefing will take place on June 21 at 1:00 pm ET. Participants can…
AAAS: 2024 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is inviting nominations for the 2024 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the U.S. scientific community through research, policy, and/or civil service. The recipient will receive a monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting, a complimentary one-year AAAS membership, and reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to receive the prize. The Prize will be presented at the 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting. The Abelson Prize has been given to Anthony Fauci, Margaret Hamburg, and Sekazi Mtingwa, among others….
DBASSE Announces New Advisory Committee Members
The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has announced the appointment of Dianne Chong, Leah H. Jamieson, and Mary C. Waters to its their advisory committee. DBASSE works to advance the social and behavioral sciences by providing āindependent, evidence-based advice to decision-makers on key questions of national importance.ā Chong previously served as vice president at The Boeing Co.ās Engineering, Operations & Technology organization; Jamieson is the John Edwardson Dean Emerita of Engineering at Purdue University; and Waters is the John L. Loeb Professor of Sociology and the PVK…
NASEM Call for Nominations: PreK-12 STEM Education Innovations
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking experts to participate in the new consensus study on promising PreK-12 STEM education innovations in response to the Congressional mandate in the CHIPS and Science Act. The study will (1) review the literature and identify research gaps regarding the factors that foster and hinder successful implementation of promising PreK-12 STEM innovations at all levels; (2) present evidence-based PreK-12 STEM education practices, models, programs, and technologies; (3) identify barriers to widespread and sustained implementation of innovations; and (4) make recommendations to relevant stakeholders on measures to address the identified barriers….