2023 Science Policy Boot Camp

What is the Sigma Xi Science Policy Boot Camp?
Join us for a four-day deep dive into state-level policy making with practitioners, leading experts in science policy, communication, and engagement. The 2023 boot camp will include open participation, hands-on learning activities, and signature events including a science policy hack-a-thon.

Session Types:

Plenary: 60-minute session with 45 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes Q&A

Panel: 3-4 people will participate on a panel of professionals where we will provide10 minutes for individual introductions, 30 minutes of facilitated discussions, and 15 minutes of Q&A with the participants

Working Sessions: 90-minute workshop that consists of 30 minutes of plenary, 30 minutes of activity or deep dive, 30 minutes of reflection and discussion on how to execute ideas in your community.

Hack-a-thon: Final day where participants form teams and put their new tools and knowledge into action by developing and presenting a real world science policy solution. Awards will be presented for the top hack-a-thon teams: First place—$1,000; Second place—$750; Third place—$500

Location:

The Science Policy Boot Camp will take place at multiple locations around North Carolina’s Triangle area, including Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park (RTP). Event spaces will aim to orient participants to policymaking environments and connect people in unique settings. Exact locations will be provided closer to the event.

Cost:

General Attendance
Early-bird (before July 8th): $200
Regular registration: $250
Student: $85

Sigma Xi Members
Early-bird (before July 8th): $125
Regular registration: $150
Student: $75

Need financial assistance? Need-based funding for registration and travel is available on a case-by-case basis for students and young professionals. Please fill out the financial assistance form to apply.

REGISTRATION has now closed for the 2023 boot camp.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

Day One: Tuesday, July 25th, 2023
"Introduction to Policy and North Carolina Government"

Theme: Introduction to Boot Camp, Policy, and North Carolina Government
Goals:

Level set and introduce the policy landscape (in NC)
Explore the different cultures of research and policy making
Foster connections among participants

1:00 p.m.—Check-in

1:15 p.m.— Opening Remarks/What to expect
Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi; Publisher, American Scientist
Susan White, Executive Director, North Carolina Sea Grant

1:30 p.m.— Cultural Differences Between Research and Policy Settings
Jean Goodwin, Professor of Rhetoric and Technical Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University

2:30 p.m.— Introduction to North Carolina State Government
Chris Cooper, Professor and Department Head of Political Science and Public Affairs, Western Carolina University

3:30 p.m.—Knowledge Intermediaries and Evidence Use in Policymaking: Topic Modeling and Analysis of Two Consequential Policy Areas
Gordon Kingsley, Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy, Georgia Tech

4:30 p.m.— Policy Storytelling
Sean Wilson, CEO Fullsteam

5:15 p.m.— Happy Hour

Day Two: Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Theme: Exploring the Branches of State Government and Policy Making
Goals:

Understand the levers of government and policy making
Explore the role of science in policy making
Tour of Government Buildings

9:00 a.m.— Engaging with the Executive Branch as a Science Advisor or Expert

David Kaiser, OSTI's deputy director, John Hardin, Executive Director for the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation

10:00 a.m.— Executive Branch in Action: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Perspective on Policy
Brian Smith, Natural Sciences Resources Superintendent for the City of Raleigh

10:45 a.m.—Break

11:30 a.m.— Science Policy and the Courts

Jamie DeWitt, Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, ECU

Boz Zellinger, Section Head - Special Prosecutions and Law Enforcement, North Carolina Attorney General

12:30 p.m.— Lunch

1:00 p.m.—Inside the Legislative Policy Process

2:00 p.m.—Guided Tour of the Legislative Building and NC Supreme Court

4:30 p.m.— Happy Hour

Day Three: Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Theme: Innovative ways to engage in policy

Goals:

Identify personal motivations and biases of policy engagement
Understand role of non-governmental organizations
Explore tools for engaging with the policy process

9:00 a.m.—Personal motivations and biases of policy engagement
Artemesia F Stanberry, Associate Professor, Political Science, NCCU

10:00 a.m.—Mental Models, Trust, and the Translation of Science
Brian Southwell, Lead Scientist for Public Understanding of Science at RTI International

11:00 a.m.— The Role of State Academies in Advising Policy Makers
Donna Gerardi Riordan, Executive Director, Washington State Academy of Science

12:00 p.m—Lunch

1:00 p.m.—Tools and Platforms for Advancing Science Policy: How to Use Technology to
Track, Train, Engage, and Create for Policy

Adriana Bankston, Senior Fellow, Civic Science & Public Policy, Sigma Xi
Cody Hill, CEO, Upstate
Maya Evanitsky, PhD Candidate, Duke University
Stephani Page, Director of Strategic Initiatives, WEPAN
Laura Demarse

2:00 p.m.— Break

2:30 p.m.— Enabling Government Partnerships (VIRTUAL)
Jenni Owen, Director, NC Office of Strategic Partnerships

3:30 p.m.—Break

4:00 p.m.— Policy Memo Preparation, Writing and Delivery to a Legislator
Adriana Bankston, Senior Fellow, Civic Science & Public Policy, Sigma Xi
Alex Hsain, Associate at McKinsey and Company

5:00 p.m.—Adjourn

Day Four: Friday, July 28th, 2023

Theme: Science Policy Hack-a-thon
Goals:

Create a policy relevant product
Apply learnings and tools from previous days
Make new connections

Details: Join us on the last day of the boot camp for the Science Policy Hack-a-thon to apply what you learned towards a practical application in policy! We will assist you with developing your idea in science policy and create a tangible policy-relevant product. We will share an example of a successful pitch that you can emulate, as well as provide help in the form of coaching, team building and resources to help develop your idea. Finally, we will assemble a committee to judge the submissions. Winners will receive cash prizes, have their ideas showcased on the Sigma Xi website and highlighted in a subsequent blog post detailing the bootcamp outcomes.

Cash prizes:
$1,000 first place
$750 second place
$500 third place

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: TBD

5:30 p.m.—Reception and Happy Hour

REGISTER TO ATTEND

SciPol Bootcamp

2023 Science Policy Boot Camp

Session Types:

Location:

Cost:

REGISTRATION has now closed for the 2023 boot camp.

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