COVID-19 has caused a lot of misinformation with regards to the value & importance of science in dealing with the pandemic. Additionally, the pandemic-induced lockdown has adversely affected higher education. However, the post-pandemic recovery process is going to be a great opportunity to create reforms in higher education and increase engagement of policymakers and lay audiences on science-related issues. In order to bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers, the JSPG in collaboration with UCI, offered the virtual Science Policy & Advocacy for STEM Scientists Certificate Program. The program equips ECRs with fundamental skills in science policy and advocacy, including effective communication for engaging policymakers on a multitude of issues. Certificate Program learning sessions described effective communication mechanisms and methods for ECRs to engage policymakers. The program also provided ECRs with opportunities for networking, as well as peer-to-peer review and feedback from policy professionals. We plan to organize a similar workshop on science policy and advocacy training at the NPA conference, discussing issues related to research funding, higher education & workforce development, and tools for effective advocacy on these topics.
