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Biology in the Federal Science Enterprise. Howard Garrison Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. April 17, 2008. Three Questions. How does FASEB describe and represent biology with respect to science policy? What are the metrics for determining FASEB’s effectiveness?
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Biology in the Federal Science Enterprise Howard Garrison Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology April 17, 2008
Three Questions • How does FASEB describe and represent biology with respect to science policy? • What are the metrics for determining FASEB’s effectiveness? • How will FASEB provide science policy advice for the new Administration and the next Congress?
21 FASEB Member Societies Representing ~85,000 scientists What is FASEB?
Advocacy Is A Core Part of Our Mission • Pre-1989 • Six member societies • Centralized organization • Major scientific meeting • Post-1989 • Public affairs emphasis • New governance • Rapid growth
What We Do • Policy development • Government liaison and advocacy • Policy research • Communications • Coalition building • Publicoutreach
Policy Development Mechanisms • Consensus conferences • Subject matter experts • Face-to-face interaction • Science Policy Committee • Organized into issue-based subcommittees • Staffed by professionals • Ultimate oversight by FASEB Board
Core Public Policy Issues • Federal funding for research • Protect the environment for research • Create the next generation of scientists • Fight regulatory burden • Animal research • Stem cell research • Research misconduct • Conflict of interest • Biosecurity • Challenge political interference in • Peer review • Science education
How does FASEB describe and represent the biological sciences • Scope of involvement • Experimental biology • Biomedical and related life sciences • Agencies: NIH, NSF, USDA, VA and DOE • Representation • Membership (21 societies) • Working scientists
Communications Initiatives • Washington Update • Breakthroughs in Bioscience • State advocacy PowerPoints • E-action alerts • Subscribers • Mass alerts • Research reports • Training • Funding trends • Evolution Coalition survey and report
Legislative Relations • Activist tradition of FASEB leadership • Capitol Hill office • Full-time presence • Strong working relationships with staff • High-level consultants • Strategic intelligence • Access
Metrics for determining success • Outcomes • Appropriations increases • Regulatory restraint • Animal research (AWA; AETA) • Operational definition of research misconduct • Membership • Responses to e-action alerts • Visibility • Influence • Recognition
National Awards • 2002 Research!America award for an “Organization That Has Distinguished Itself by Its Advocacy” • 2007 National Postdoctoral Association “Distinguished Service Award” • Individual development plan • Publications on workforce issues • Advocacy for health benefits for postdocs • Addressing the needs of under-represented minorities
Targets for new Administration • Presidential campaign • Communications with candidates • Public education • ScienceCures.org • Debates • White House meeting? • Strengthen agency relationships • Leadership meetings • Staff communications
Targets for Next Congress • Member meetings • FASEB President • FASEB Capitol Hill Days • Member society meetings • Freshman briefing • E-action alerts • Issue briefings?