Catalyzing Change: Using Your Chemistry Expertise to Advise Policymakers

ACS Webinars

“Democracy is not something you believe in or a place to hang your hat. But it’s something you do. You participate. If you stop doing it, democracy crumbles.” - Abbie Hoffman

Chemistry plays a key role in scientific innovation and advancement in society, both inside and outside the lab. You can use your chemical knowledge and expertise to communicate science that affects policies impacting humanity’s greatest challenges, from climate change to deadly pandemics to the future of energy, so that leaders understand the relevant data and can make informed decisions.


A panel of experienced science policy experts will discuss how you can get involved in this important work, including Kavi Chintam, President of Northwestern University’s Science Policy Outreach Taskforce and member of the National Science Policy Network, Brandon McMurtry, an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy, and Mary Sabuda, ACS’s 2021-2023 Science Policy Fellow. Register now to learn how you can make a difference at the local, state, or federal level, including the tools ACS provides to members to support your advocacy work. The hardest part is getting started so don’t miss this chance to connect with scientists already working in science policy!

This ACS Webinar is moderated by Milcah S. Jackson of the American Chemical Society and co-produced with the ACS Student & Postdoctoral Scholars Development Office and ACS Office of Government Affairs.

What You Will Learn

  • What science policy is and why it’s important to engage in science policy activities as a STEM expert
  • How to gain experience in science policy and examples of different career paths into science policy
  • The tools and opportunities for advocacy offered by the ACS Government Affairs office for members

Co-Producer

What an attendee said about this ACS Webinar!

I appreciated the panel and their different perspectives on science policy/advocacy, as they were all involved in the topic, but through different scopes and experiences.

Meet the Experts

Kavi Chintam
PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering,
Northwestern University

Brandon McMurtry
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy

Mary Sabuda
Science Policy Fellow,
American Chemical Society

Milcah S. Jackson
Program Specialist, Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Development, Education Division, American Chemical Society

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