Science for the People: Designing Tools for Public Trust and Federal Advocacy

Amid growing public distrust of science—driven by political polarization, misinformation, and perceptions of institutional detachment—scientific credibility and federal investment are increasingly under threat. Addressing this crisis requires not only clearer communication, but a structural shift in how science relates to the public. This summer, I worked with the American Physical Society to pursue a twofold approach: rebuilding trust through community-centered engagement and equipping scientists for effective public advocacy. I developed a participatory event toolkit to help APS units host local events where scientists and community members engage in dialogue about the values, tensions, and lived experiences that shape public trust in science—grounded in listening, mutual accountability, and local knowledge. The toolkit will be piloted at APS headquarters in summer 2025, with feedback informing its broader rollout at the Fall Division of Plasma Physics meeting. In tandem, I worked alongside the APS Government Affairs team creating “tech tree”—a visual advocacy resource that traces how federal research funding leads to everyday technologies like GPS, 3D printing, and medical imaging. It’s designed to help scientists and advocates communicate the public value of research and make a compelling case for sustained federal support. Together, these projects reframe science as a public good—accountable, responsive, and interconnected with the communities and policies that shape its future