AAAS Asks You To Speak Up for Science
Sign the petition to help protect federal funding for research and development. Together we can make a difference. Speak up today!
All Posts by Bethany R. Johns
American Astronomical Society Endorsement of AGU Statement on Climate Change
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) notes that human impacts on the climate system include increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is significantly contributing to the warming of the global climate.
Washington News
Telling our story has become more and more important as we begin to peer over the fiscal cliff. We must tell our story on the importance of investing in the astronomical sciences or we risk critical losses in funding. Contact policy makers and your members of Congress to tell your story on how the astronomical sciences are important to you and to the nation.
Sign-Up Now For Communicating With Washington and Local Visits
AAS Informational Email 2012-05
Bethany Johns, John Bahcall Public Policy Fellow
Sign-Up Now For Communicating With Washington and Local Visits
Opposition to the Grant Reform and New Transparency (GRANT) Act of 2011 (H.R. 3433)
Endorsed on: January 30, 2012
The Coalition for National Science Funding writes in opposition to the Grant Reform and New Transparency (GRANT) Act of 2011 (H.R. 3433) because as written this bill could have unintended adverse effects on the continued development of the scientific and engineering research enterprise and compromise the U.S. innovation system.
Local Visits
Local visits with your member of Congress can have a more profound impact then visiting them at Capitol Hill. A local visit with your member of Congress is when you schedule an appointment with him or her during Congressional recess when they are back in their state. Please consider scheduling a meeting with your member of Congress.
AAS Announces New Communicating With Washington Program
AAS Informational Email 2011-17
Bethany Johns, John Bahcall Public Policy Fellow
AAS Announces New Communicating With Washington Program
Communicating With Washington
Staff on Capitol Hill, the White House, and Congress often lament that they do not hear enough from scientists and researchers who depend on federally funded research on the importance of science and their research to the Nation. The challenge is to make communicating with Washington a part of every scientist’s professional and academic career. The American Astronomical Society rises to the challenge by starting a new initiative called Communicating With Washington.
Concern For the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science In the FY2011
Endorsed on: October 29, 2010
Energy Sciences Coalition letter to House appropriations leaders expressing concern about the funding level for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science in the fiscal year 2011 Energy and Water Development Appropriation bill marked up earlier this year by the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee. The letter will be sent to House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and copied to key members of the House Leadership.
Urging Passage of the America COMPETES Act Reauthorization
Endorsed on: October 12, 2010
The Task Force for American Innovation, joined by APLU and the Association of American Universities (AAU), is looking for interested organizations to sign on to a letter that will be sent to Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), with copies sent to all Members of the Senate, urging passage of the America COMPETES Act reauthorization this year. Other organization signed on.
Sample Phone Call to Congressperson
This example of a phone conversation assumes an astronomer is calling a Congressperson's office about a letter sponsored by two Congressmen and being sent to the House leadership.
The Astronomy Policy Ecosystem
List of Agencies, Advisors, and Policy Makers involved in funding astronomy.
Other Science Policy Fellowships
In addition to the AAS John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship, there are several other options for AAS members to enter the world of science policy. Some fellowships are listed below:
Astronomy in the Federal Budget
Contains information on the US government budget cycles.
Decadal Surveys
- The National Research Council Report New Frontiers in the Solar System:
An Integrated Exploration Strategy - The National Research Council Report The Sun to the Earth--and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics
- The National Research Council Report Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium
How To Communicate with Congress
Resources for Contacting Congress including tools to find the name of your Representative and Senator(s), tips on how to structure a letter,a personal visit, or a phone call and how to schedule a visit.
Contacting Congress
Get up-to-date contact information for your Representatives and Senators. Use the Congress Merge database to search for members of Congress
Public Policy Web Resources
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- The Library of Congress Legislative Information Service
John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship
The John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship was created in 2006 to provide an opportunity for early career astronomers to gain experience in the world of science policy and serves to augment the policy advocacy programs of the society. The Bahcall Fellowship is currently a one-year postdoctoral level appointment.