What Can We Do to Respond to Attacks on Science?

A guide to advocacy actions for the scientific community

Disclaimer: This post was written by Dr. Andrew Rosenberg in his personal capacity and not on behalf of any organization or entity. The views expressed herein are Dr. Rosenberg’s and his alone.

Many people, including the SciLight editors, knew that Donald Trump’s second term would be a difficult time for science and scientists. But we were surprised at the reach, depth, nastiness, and recklessness of the actions President Trump has taken, which have been turbo-charged by his surprise, unelected and unaccountable accomplice -- billionaire Co-President Elon Musk. We knew that Mr. Trump likes to surprise people and that he is very transactional. He is quick to take offense at others while being overwhelmingly offensive himself, along with being vindictive and self-absorbed. But he hasn’t been all that strategic. Enter Mr. Musk, who seems to follow a strategy of destruction. Maybe he read a book about ‘creative destruction’ (or more likely listened to a podcast) and thought to himself ‘Wow, that’s me!’ Unfortunately for we the people, he overlooked the creative part when he put government agencies and people on the chopping block. But he gets an A+ for vindictive and offensive.

Your co-editors at SciLight have some first-hand experience with Mr. Trump’s “creative” destruction. We were here for the opening show. Now we, along with many others, have been writing about Mr. Trump‘s actions that undermine science and scientists. Like firing federal scientists and staff, canceling funding, changing grant terms despite the contractual conditions, and targeting whole programs for elimination.

Many of us are horrified, despairing, and downright furious. The time for anger and incredulity has passed. The question now is: what can we do about it?

Assumptions

Like good scientists, let’s start with being explicit about our assumptions:

1. People reading this blog will likely want to take some action in response to attacks on science and scientists. But not everyone is drawn to the same types of action.

2. Science covers many disciplines, topics, and issues. Each of us will be drawn to some topics and issues more than others. We don’t need collective action by everyone in the science community on every single issue. We can each act on our most pressing concerns but hopefully tie our actions together into the broader frame of resistance to attacks and advocating for positive change.

3. Whatever issues we each choose to act on, voting in every election, local to national, is sine qua non. No question here; JUST DO IT!

4. Many organizations out there need support, and many of them ask you regularly. Those of us able will donate to organizations whose missions and actions support science, scientists, or science-informed policy work.

Let’s together expand this list as we crowdsource opportunities for action.

Low-lift Actions

• Sign On Letters

Many individuals and organizations are creating sign-on letters expressing concern, outrage and recommendations on what needs to be done to respond to attacks on science. Some letters are addressed to the Administration to protest an attack. More often, they are letters to Members of Congress asking them to intervene and protect the ability of science to inform policy and ultimately to benefit the public.

Just last week, I signed on to a letter urging members of congress to support NOAA as a whole and a second letter to rescue the SeaGrant program from threatened cuts. There are letters circulating in support of NIH, EPA, USAID and more. Sometimes letters are organized by colleagues. Sometimes by non-governmental organizations such as the Union of Concerned Scientists or the Environmental Protection Network.

It may seem that sign on letters are easy to ignore. But remember, you are a constituent; two Senators and a Congressperson are supposed to represent YOU. Letters are a small, but important action.

• Even better -- call/email your Congresspeople and Senators.

Every elected official has a website that gives you contact information and accepts comments. Whenever I do this (e.g., this week) I always get a response, and it is usually pretty detailed. Right now, we hear reports that congressional phone lines are JAMMED with callers. That’s a very good thing. If you are concerned about what is happening, then your elected representatives need to know this is a priority for you. If you are unsure what to say, there is good guidance out there. I usually try to remember a few simple points when I am calling or emailing.

o Be concise and say who you are and what you are calling about first (you are a constituent, your name if you wish, zip code, and the main issue).

o Tell them why you are concerned in about two sentences.

o Tell them what you want them to do (e.g., vote against, hold hearings, support, oppose funding, etc.)

o Something positive (I really care about this issue and hope we as a country can….with your support).

Medium-Lift Efforts

• Host a Demonstration Event

Demonstrations against the Administration’s actions are starting to gain momentum. They are being held in cities and towns all around the country as well as in DC. If you want to show up and express your concerns, there are likely opportunities near you or you can talk to your colleagues and friends and create one of your own. In front of the town or city hall. On a main street or on campus. At your Congressperson or Senator’s district office (they all have them). Of course, you should be nonviolent and civil. Ask for action; don’t just berate people as it’s much more effective and takes away any excuse to dismiss your action as “not serious” or “extreme.”

• Ask to meet with your representatives at their district office or ask them to hold a listening session with constituents

Some Congresspeople and Senators hold town hall style meetings regularly – in person or online. But not everyone does. Again, be courteous and civil when asking for action and get as many like-minded people as you can to ask for a listening session. Ask for responses and follow up if you can.

• Meet with your representatives in person

All representatives take constituent meetings in DC and their districts, and the same guidance as above applies. Be prepared and be concise. When you meet, make sure you provide a little background that briefly states why you are there (what issues you are concerned about) and what your “ask” is). Do that upfront so they get the message. Repeat it at the end too. And follow up with a thank you, reiterating your concern. It can be powerful if you have a personal (brief) story to tell about why this issue matters to you. Members will sometimes use those stories when talking to the press or colleagues. “Just the other day a constituent told me….”

Writers and Speakers

• Take your voice to the media

Some of us are more comfortable putting ideas forward in writing. There are blogs like ours! And many others. Some take guest blogs. Or you can pen an op-ed for your local paper or media channel. Local media can be just as impactful as national media and perhaps easier to get published. Again, be sure readers know what you’re writing about and what you think needs to be done. Here’s some great guidance is available for writing op-eds.

Talking to reporters sometimes gets a bad rap, but it shouldn’t. You want them to have good information, right? You want to counter mis-information right? Well help them by reaching out. Not just after the story is published to “correct” them, but to tell them up front that you have expertise and experience and would be happy to talk with them. Again, local media is really important, so having a cup of coffee with a local reporter can be both fun and very impactful. There is training available through organizations working on science communication. And it helps A LOT.

The Big Lift Efforts

• Provide attorneys information about how you are being impacted

In addition to trying to get Congress to push back, the third co-equal branch of government, the judiciary is critically important in this battle. There are lawsuits underway already and many more to come. Some of the organizations that are working hard to fight for our democracy in the courts are:

o Democracy Forward

o Public Citizen

o Earthjustice

o CREW

o NRDC

o Brennan Center for Justice

o Protect Democracy

o Unions

o State Attorneys General

But what can you do? You can provide the attorneys with examples of how you or others have been directly affected. For example, grants or other funding canceled; lost positions or job opportunities; research was delayed or undermined. This helps establishing“standing” before the court to bring suit. If you have a clear and compelling story to tell, offer to help.

• Science Community Efforts

Many of us are members of professional associations and unions. Collective action is important. Tell your professional associations and unions to speak out, and offer your voice.

While many organizations and individuals are rightfully worried about losing funding from federal government programs, that’s what those who are trying to tear apart our government agencies and our science enterprise are counting on: fear and intimidation. Don’t be bullied. Trying to “lie low” won’t cut it.

Encourage your universities and research institutes to reach out to your representatives, too. Big institutions are important constituents in many districts and every state. Make sure yours is speaking up. Make sure they know the impact on YOUR work, not just the dollars lost.

There are networks of scientists that can connect you into advocacy efforts. Search them out in your field. Share them with your colleagues. There is real strength in numbers. Even if you are not a “joiner” you can learn and help a lot!

There are so many ways take action; we at SciLight will try to keep bringing forward opportunities to act. If you have ideas or hear of opportunities, please use the comments field to let us know. Remember, stories are evocative. Tell yours cogently and passionately. We need to put faces on the cuts that are being made. We need to capture the narrative as best we can.

We have to fight back. It’s our country. Our science. Our democracy.

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