ABS Public Affairs Committee

[sue_bertram]

Dear ABS members,

The Public Affairs committee is being revived after a hiatus of a few years.  Dr. Patricia Brennan is the newly appointed committee chair, and we are looking for at least 3 additional committee members. What are we looking for? Anyone with a passion for science communication, and science policy, but particularly anyone interested in spending some time coming up with, and executing ideas on how ABS can best promote our discipline is welcome to join us. You must be willing to come to the ABS meeting for the time of your appointment.  Applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis for those that express a desire to participate, but please write a paragraph on why you think you will be a good committee member, and if you are interested in a one, two or three year appointment. Once we have identified the potential committee members, these will be confirmed by the President of ABS in consultation with the committee chair. Please email pbre...@cns.umass.edu if you are willing to serve.
 
What does the committee do?
 
The bylaws state that the committee
 
b. Shall receive and evaluate Resolutions submitted by the membership and present these, if appropriate, to the membership for vote at the annual Business Meeting. Shall make available to the membership the ABS procedures for submission of Resolutions. (Essentially help to submit laws on behalf of the members).

But also:
 
c. Shall be responsible for promoting an appreciation and understanding of animal behavior and ethological research among the public at large.

Following this mission ABS will be reinstating its membership with AIBS, and sharing information relevant to members that may foster increasing visibility of our discipline.

Below is the announcement for an award directed to Graduate Students. If you think you may be qualified but would like some feedback on your application, please contact Dr. Brennan for feedback (pbre...@cns.umass.edu).

Graduate Student Leaders Sought to Shape Science Policy

Applications are being accepted for the 2015 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. This award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who have demonstrated initiative and leadership in science policy. Recipients receive first-hand experience at the interface of science and public policy.

Winners receive:
A trip to Washington, DC, to participate in the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition Congressional Visits Day, an annual event that brings scientists to the nation’s capital to advocate for federal investment in the biological sciences, with a primary focus on the National Science Foundation. The event will be held in late spring 2015. Domestic travel and hotel expenses will be paid for the winners.
Policy and communications training, including information on the legislative process and trends in federal science funding.
Meetings with congressional policymakers to discuss the importance of federal investments in the biological sciences.
A one-year AIBS membership, including a subscription to the journal BioScience and a copy of “Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media.”
An award certificate and membership in the EPPLA alumni network.
The 2015 award is open to U.S. citizens enrolled in a graduate degree program in the biological sciences, science education, or a closely allied field. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to science policy and/or science education policy. Prior EPPLA winners and AIBS science policy interns/fellows are not eligible.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, 18 January 2015. The application can be downloaded at http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/eppla.html.