If I were to tell you that you can engage with policy makers to make sure that science is part of lawmaking, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I would take a confident guess that you see yourself putting on a blazer and walking the halls of the Capitol in Washington, DC, meeting with staffers or, if you’re lucky, a congressional member.
Congress is an important pathway in policy engagement, but it isn’t the only way. In some cases, it’s not the most effective route.
So how can you decide where you can make the most impact? To begin, ask yourself:
- What kind of change are you trying to achieve?
- Who has influence or authority over that decision?
- Where can I realistically build relationships and contribute?
Your North Star
There are many ways to engage and help integrate science into policy. While it may feel overwhelming at times, it becomes more manageable when you remember to follow your communication goal like the North Star: what is the change that you want to see as a result of your engagement? As long as you are moving the needle forward towards your goal, you are doing your part.
Consider a researcher working on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) who has determined that they want to see increased funding for GMO research. Keeping this goal in mind will help the researcher decide the best ways to use their limited time and resources while engaging in science policy.
Choosing the Right Scale
Policy engagement doesn’t just happen at the federal level. Many decisions are made at the state and local level, including decisions about education, land use, infrastructure, and public assistance programs. Notably, there are similar routes of engagement across these levels.
In many cases, engaging at the state or local level can provide more direct access to decision-makers, faster opportunities to see impact, and stronger alignment with the people and places affected by those decisions.
In our example, the researcher might consider working with a state agriculture department or local policymakers if decisions about GMO implementation or oversight are made at their state or local level or if there are region-specific concerns (such as environmental conditions, local economies, or public opinion) that could play a significant role in how a policy is received.
Ways to Engage in Policy
It helps to understand the multiple players and the role they play in policy:
Partner Organizations – Building Influence and Momentum
In many cases, the most effective way to engage in policy is not alone, but through partner organizations. These organizations are not a separate route, but a bridge that can help people engage with legislative bodies, agencies, or courts — depending on their focus.
Partner organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), professional societies, and for-profit businesses may advocate for, help implement, or challenge policy decisions. They also often aggregate voices through coalitions and networks, making it easier to access and influence policy.
If your goal is to build momentum for an issue, identify and access opportunities, or expand your reach, connecting with a partner organization can amplify your impact.
Following our researcher example, they could advance their policy strategy by collaborating with an agricultural nonprofit or industry group. This connection could help them better understand the scope of the field and learn more about other engagement opportunities through an established network.
Legislative – Shaping Policy
Legislative bodies, including city councils, state legislatures, and the U.S. Congress, are responsible for writing and passing legislation, setting budgets, and conducting oversight of government programs.
If your goal is to inform legislation or support funding for a program, engaging with legislative bodies may very well be the best way for you to accomplish those goals. Engagement with legislative bodies can look like meeting with staff, contributing to policy briefs, or providing expert testimony to inform a bill.
If the researcher wants to see increased funding for GMO research in the next Farm Bill, which addresses agriculture funding at the national level, they might connect with staff in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee or the House Agriculture Committee.
Agencies – Implementing Policy
Executive leaders (mayors, governors, and the White House) set policy priorities, while agencies implement, interpret, and enforce the laws passed by legislative bodies. These agencies operate within specific issue areas, for example:
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focuses on climate, oceans, and weather at the national level.
- Many states have Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) or Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) that lead environmental management.
- Cities and towns often have agencies. The city of Miami, Florida, for example, has an Office of Resilience and Sustainability. The office works to ensure that the city and its operations can withstand ongoing climate impacts.
You may want to speak with someone at an agency if your goal is to shape how an existing policy works in practice — whether it’s proposing regulations, program design, or guidance documents. Engagement with agencies could include submitting public comments, serving on advisory committees, or connecting directly with staff.
For example, if that same researcher wants to propose ideas on how GMO crops are evaluated and regulated at the national level, it may be more effective to engage with someone in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Courts – Interpreting Policy
In some cases, policy is shaped through legal challenges and court decisions, especially when there are disputes about regulation and enforcement.
Scientists can help ensure that scientific research is accurately represented in litigation by serving as expert witnesses, contributing to an amicus brief, or providing input to legal teams. Scientists can more commonly connect to these opportunities through professional societies, NGOs, or other partner groups that are involved in the case. However, there are important considerations for scientists and researchers who get involved in court cases, so think carefully about what you are and are not comfortable with in advance, before becoming involved.
Learn More with COMPASS
Policy engagement is a powerful way to drive meaningful, lasting change, but it can be a complex space to navigate.
If you’d like more structured guidance to help you get started, consider joining our upcoming Policy Pathways workshop to identify policy engagement activities that best align with your goals and capacity, or contact us for one-on-one coaching for more personalized support.
For organizations or teams that know Congress is a key audience, our joint workshop with ESP Advisors, Making the Message Stick with Congress, will help you build a clear understanding of the federal landscape around your issue and develop actionable strategies to make your message more effective, memorable, and impactful.
However you choose to engage, we’d love to help you put your goals into action.
