How do you build credibility with a politician? How do you articulate a scientific idea for a political audience? How can a scientist get onto the shortlist of experts to be a consultant to the legislative process? To start off the discussion, Science House held an event titled "How to be heard in politics", led by guest speaker Nancy Palumbo. Nancy has run state senate campaigns, worked for state senate majority leaders, been the executive deputy commissioner of the state park system, launched new programs in government messaging to constituents, and did political consulting in Mongolia, Croatia, Poland, East Timor, and Uganda. Here are some insights from her experience.
1. Decide what your platform is. Scientists have the ability to actively influence policy-making. That's fantastic! Perhaps you have several ideas, perhaps several dozen, but where do you start? Take the time to distill your ideas and choose just one message - your platform. A good platform is one that is expressed clearly and concisely, and that indicates the benefits your idea will bring to the public. For example, you may feel strongly about urban reforestation in your city. Formulate a clear message stating what you would like to see carried out - e.g. planting 5,000 trees in selected locations throughout the city - and emphasize the benefits this will bring to the community - e.g. better health through improved air quality and a connection with nature.
2. Make your message memorable. As a rule of thumb, 90% of the people will forget a conversation within three days. Politicians are constantly hearing new ideas, so it's an even tougher job for them to remember each message they come across. Make your message as compelling and memorable as possible.
3. Reach out. Once you have decided on your platform, reach out to a politician to make them aware of your idea. Email is a great form of communication and will almost certainly get you a response. There are many additional ways to reach out, and make a politician aware of you. Keep an eye out for political events where your targeted politician will be present, and introduce yourself. Show your support for them, such as at a fundraising event, and they'll be that much more likely to remember you and help you out. It may seem old-fashioned, but carrying out a grass-roots door knocking compaign or holding a rally are still effective ways to garner support and grab attention.
4. Gather supporters to your cause. In politics, every individual voice counts. That said, it's also a game about strength in numbers. Amplify your message by gathering many people behind your cause, and ask each of them to send an email, make a phone call or sign a proposal. Fifty emails are more powerful than one; a proposal with one hundred signatures will let a politician know that your idea is important to many people.
5. Be prepared to repeat your message. In the world of advertising, a person needs to see a message on average twelve times before they are driven to action. The same applies to politics. If you send an email and haven't heard back - send another one. There's also value in planting an idea, or sending a politician information to help make them aware of you.
6. Be available. Be available to answer questions about your proposal, and to explain the background scientific concepts.
7. Go to both sides of politics. Don't just send your letter to the side of politics you support, or to the majority party. Raise support for your idea on both sides of power for a better chance of having your proposal passed.
Most politicians deal with thousands of diverse issues, many of which are outside their realm of knowledge. When confronted with an issue that has a scientific basis, for example, gene therapy, nanotechnology or healthcare, they need to educate themselves and appreciate the help of experts in these areas. Science House is preparing to facilitate discussions between politicians and scientists with expertise in various fields.
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