I'm sending this newsletter before heading to Costa Rica tomorrow for two weeks for a very much needed vacation. I love to travel and one advantage of being independent is that I can now travel off-season. After not being able to travel during the pandemic, I'm trying to catch up.

Part of the reason I love to travel is to learn about other cultures. Although we might think of other cultures from a country or ethnic standpoint, there are certainly also different cultures when we think about policy. This is something that really struck home during the pandemic.

So I always encourage students to watch shows, listen to podcasts, etc. that present a different perspective than their own. Whether you're an analyst or an advocate, you need to understand the variety of perspectives on the issues you are addressing. Some policymaker is sure to ask you how you respond to those perspectives and you need to have a thoughtful answer ready.

I'm also excited to let everyone know that I have merged my consulting and teaching activities into a new S&T Policy Academy webpage! Please take a look and let me know what you think! I put my first webpages together myself at the beginning of the pandemic and I was glad this time to have it done by some professionals.

Just hit reply to let me know your thoughts, how you’re doing, any questions you might have, and your feedback on any and all of this communication. I'm particularly interested in hearing if you received a fellowship, job, or other opportunity. Sharing your story can help inspire others who are on the same path you were a few years ago.

New Science & Technology Policy Academy Webinar: What is Equity Analysis and How Can I Use It?

We all know that equity is a good thing, but in order to hold leaders accountable, you need to be able to assess a program's current equity, develop a plan to improve that equity, and then measure progress toward an equity goal. In this webinar, you'll learn what equity analysis is and how you can use it to meet your science & technology policy goals.

At the webinar on November 21st at 6 pm eastern, you'll hear from Dr. Stephen Plank, vice president of Research, Evaluation, Evidence and Data at the Annie E. Casey Foundation on how they conduct equity analysis. The foundation produces guidance and analysis on equity on a regular basis as illustrated in their guide that provides "7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equity and Inclusion Within Your Organization" and their more recent reports. Other speakers will also offer their perspective on equity analysis, and organizations will tell you how you can participate in their activities. This webinar is co-hosted by Forefront and the National Science Policy Network.

Registration is available until capacity is reached. Join us!

New Pilot Class: Equity Analysis for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals

Interested in learning about equity analysis in-depth? Join our class on Equity Analysis for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals. You'll still watch videos for content, as with our other on-demand classes, but you'll be part of a 4-week cohort where you'll workshop activities together. Upon completion, you'll receive a digital badge to post on LinkedIn.

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I'm so pleased that Dr. Arati Prabhakar is the new director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the President's Science Advisor (formally the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology), and a member of the President's cabinet! Not only is she the first woman and person of color to hold the role of the President's science advisor, but I've met her several time in the past and she's a wonderful and thoughtful person. Take some time out of our schedule to watch her recent talk at AAAS on the aims of U.S. science and technology and you'll see what I mean. After a troubling start to OSTP in the Biden Administration, Dr. Prabhakar is the person we need to get a new start in the Biden Administration.

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Dr. Deborah D. Stine, Founder and Chief Instructor, Science & Technology Policy Academy

Random Thoughts from Debbie

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