Mary Woolley, President and CEO

Research!America is the nation’s largest nonprofit public education and advocacy alliance whose goal is to make research to improve

health a higher national priority.

ACDP 2010

2010

http://www.researchamerica.org/

Dr. Karen Liller, Dean of Graduate StudiesUSF

“…there is growing recognition that scientists need to take the lead in communicating their research findings and offering insight into the scientific process to community groups, business leaders, politicians and other decision makers.”“These are the conduits for change who will influence or implement public policy. If we as researchers cannot frame our work with messages that are understandable and relevant, the policy decisions may be uninformed and we’ll all live with the consequences.”

• USF / Pfizer / Res. Am.

• USF sub-committee (3)

• Sought support of USF

leadership across campus• April-Oct 2011• $7,500 USF for

workshop• $700 filming• other costs covered

by other partners (Pfizer & Res!Am)

Science Advocacy Workshop (~1.5 hrs)Session 1

• Why Research Matters in Florida• Strategies for Successful Advocacy• Effective Communications• Engaging Elected Officials• Meetings-Letters-Phone Calls• Public Opinion Matters• The Influence of the Media

Science & Journalism Forum (~2 hrs)Session 2

Science Journalism’s Brave New WorldPanel 1

Sheril Kirshenbaum• research scientist (UT Austin, Center

for International Energy & Environmental Policy);

• science columnist Bloomberg View;• hosts blog, Culture of Science;• co-author, Unscientific America: How

Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future

Elie Dolgin, PhD (Genetics)• biomedical reporter, Nature Medicine;• former Assoc. Ed., The Scientist

magazine

Claudia Dreifus• “Conversation

with…”, The N.Y. Times science section

Charlotte Sutton• health & medicine editor,

St. Petersburg Times (Florida’s largest newspaper)

(Moderator) Irene Maher• health reporter, WFLA-TV, Tampa;

• health reporter, St. Petersburg Times• former host, Florida Matters, WUSF-TV

Selected Discussion PointsJournalism / Science Forum

• At a time when science and journalism have become increasingly complex, what are the implications for communicating science to the public?

• How is the changing face of journalism affecting public understanding of research?

• What makes research newsworthy?• What challenges do journalists face when trying to report research results?• Who are the most trustworthy spokespersons for science news?• What can researchers do to communicate more effectively? • What are some practical and effective strategies for improved

communications between researchers and journalists?• What are best practices for journalists and scientists to guide their

presentation of complex information to the public?• How can science and journalism work together to improve both science and

media literacy?• How can researchers develop a better understanding of the public—

specifically the public’s interests and information needs?

Age Group Frequency Percent18-24 89 11.625-34 126 16.435-54 295 38.355-69 174 22.670+ 85 11.1total 769 100.0

Party Frequency PercentDemocrat 280 35Republican 328 41

Independent 192 24total 800 100

Ideology Recorded

Frequency Percent

Liberal 194 25.7Moderate 232 30.8

Conservative 327 43.5total 753 100.0

Education Frequency PercentNo College

Degree471 59.1

College Degree 326 40.9total 797 100.0

http://www.researchamerica.org/uploads/2011FLAstatepoll.pdf

92%

79%

91%

If every American made a small cash donation…

In 2010, Americans spent$24.78 billion on gift cards

55,491 NIH Grants, or…National Cancer Institute for ~5 years

Which would fund

ACDP 2010

Science Advocacy Agenda, part 1USF

Science Advocacy Agenda, part 2USF