Annual Meeting

Advocacy at #DiscoverBMB

Sarina Neote
Nov. 30, 2022

The Public Affairs Advisory Committee and public affairs department of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have been busy advocating on behalf of ASBMB members in 2022 (read about our work), and we will continue to push many of these policy efforts in 2023. Our advocacy efforts are all focused on four issue areas:

  1. Addressing the rising cost of conducting science.
  2. Supporting the next generation of scientists.
  3. Increasing diversity, equity, inclusivity and accessibility in the research enterprise.
  4. Supporting international collaboration and international researchers.

One of our priorities for 2023 is to communicate clearly the importance of basic scientific research to policymakers; without basic research, the innovation pipeline in science would collapse. But policymakers don’t hear enough from scientists and science organizations about the importance of basic research. We’re hoping you, as members of the ASBMB, can help us change that.

Not sure how to be an advocate for science? At Discover BMB 2023, we’ll help with that. Here’s what we’re planning.

Advocate for basic scientific research

Come to the Advocacy Town Hall and learn how the ASBMB public affairs department and members of the Public Affairs Advisory Committee advocate for ASBMB members to policymakers at federal agencies and on Capitol Hill. During the second half of this event, committee members and staff will help you craft an email detailing the importance of basic scientific research to send to your representatives in the House and Senate.

How to engage in science advocacy

Not a letter writer? Many other avenues exist to advocate for sound science policy. Come learn what you can do at an ASBMB panel discussion with Public Affairs Advisory Committee members, delegates from our 2022 Advocacy Training Program, and science and technology fellows. We’ll talk about how you can spend a lot or a little time advocating for the scientific community, and you’ll get a chance to learn about how the ASBMB advocates for you. We welcome your questions and feedback.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Sarina Neote

Sarina Neote is ASBMB's director of public affairs.

Sign up for the ASBMB advocacy newsletter

Featured jobs

from the ASBMB career center

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Policy

Policy highlights or most popular articles

ASBMB pushes federal agencies to help students struggling with loan debt
Funding

ASBMB pushes federal agencies to help students struggling with loan debt

Nov. 30, 2023

The society states that increasing student debt and financial strain are hurting the U.S. research enterprise and federal agencies must do more to ease this burden.

NIH diversity supplements offer a pathway to independence
Funding

NIH diversity supplements offer a pathway to independence

Nov. 29, 2023

These funding mechanisms have been underutilized. The ASBMB public affairs staff offers recommendations to change that.

ASBMB weighs in on wage rules for postdocs
Blotter

ASBMB weighs in on wage rules for postdocs

Nov. 28, 2023

The society supports the Department of Labor’s proposed increase in minimum salary for exempt employees.

Funding opportunities to explore
Funding

Funding opportunities to explore

Nov. 28, 2023

Beyond the National Institutes of Health, a number of U.S. government agencies provided funding for basic scientific research.

Advocating for change in science
Feature

Advocating for change in science

Nov. 23, 2023

ASBMB trainees harness their training and life experience to reshape science policy.

How public policy work amplifies our impact
Essay

How public policy work amplifies our impact

Nov. 23, 2023

ASBMB Today contributor Oluwadamilola “Dami” Oke describes her journey to advocacy and shares thoughts from a mentor who guided her.