.ulp {
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.btnWrap.btnBlue {
margin: 0;
}
Tell us how scientific and technical conferences benefit science, technology, and society!
Communication and collaboration are central to science and technology research. And scientific and technical meetings and conferences, whether big or small, bring researchers, educators, and federal program officers together to advance fields forward and drive innovation.
Since 2012, members of the scientific and technical community who are employees and contractors for federal science agencies have been subject to significant regulations and burdensome approval processes due to government-wide policies. The Government Accountability Office and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy have shown that this has led to reductions in conference participation among these colleagues, to the detriment of science as a whole.
Today, AAAS is asking for your help in urging federal policymakers to recognize the importance of conferences and collaboration to the progress of science and technology. Please take a moment to make a submission highlighting the importance of conference participation to a healthy scientific and technical community. Tell us about a collaboration that started at a conference and led to an exciting new discovery, or how you were exposed to a new way of thinking that was crucial to your success in your field. Since current regulations affect federal employees and contractors most, stories that involve collaborations with colleagues at federal agencies, national labs, or research institutes are highly encouraged.
We will then take your message to policymakers to ensure our community is heard from on this critical issue. We will also work to amplify your voice by attracting press and public interest.
Featured Submission
“The path from Gila monster venom to the diabetes medication Exenatide runs through an American Diabetes Association meeting in 1996. There, Department of Veterans Affairs researcher, endocrinologist, and Golden Goose Award winner Dr. John Eng presented results on how a compound in Gila monster venom affects insulin production, catching the attention of a small biotechnology company, Amylin Pharmaceuticals. After receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2005, the resulting drug Exenatide is now used by millions of people to manage Type 2 Diabetes.”
– Albaugh, Haywood, Jeffries, & Yatagai in Letter to Editor of Science
With your help we can make sure that the community’s voice is heard on the importance of scientific and technical conferences. Join us. Together we can make a difference.
Submission Suggestions:
- Submit a story about a specific collaboration or project or a step in your career development that may never have occurred were it not for participation in a conference or meeting.
- Explain how the work that stemmed from this conference or meeting contributes to the security, health, prosperity, and/or advancement of society.
- Be specific in describing your story — include dates and locations when possible.
- Please keep your submission nonpartisan and as constructive as possible.