Guerrilla Influence: What used to work in advocacy + communications doesn't work anymore... and it's designed that way. So now what?

This talk will equip attendees with the tools to stand up for their careers and stand strong in their values as they navigate a new culture around science in the United States. Professional realities are that, despite a change in administration, many scientists rely on federal funding that seems to be crumbling before them. Yet, these projects still need to be done. Grad students still need to be paid. Scientists must be able to meet this new moment and communicate effectively to protect these critical resources. Avenues of access to positions of trust and power in the federal government are fundamentally changed – many no longer exist. Strategies for advocacy and lobbying that were, just a year ago, considered "best practice" are no longer effective, yet many members of the scientific public are still being asked to sign petitions that would be delivered to empty offices and make phone calls to numbers that have been disconnected.

Being responsible with one's career means equipping oneself in the best way to speak to officials in a position of influence or power in the language they are speaking, no matter how much that power structure changes. There is a dire need to develop potent new approaches that adapt to the nimble, "break everything" mentality of the Administration that has upended traditional expectations. Political realities indicate that significant portions of the cuts coming to science may be unavoidable, but real-time assessment is signaling that the best route to ensuring protection for discreet research projects is by first appealing directly to local offices of House Representatives, followed by Senators, and other local leaders. This presentation discusses how to present your values and your priorities in a way that meets decision makers on their own turf.