Science Advocacy
Subtitle
Promoting science policies that create a healthy, diverse, and vibrant child development discipline.
We work on behalf of our members and coalition with other scientific societies to advocate on U.S. federal-level issues in Congress and federal agencies as well as to nominate SRCD members to prominent federal-level scientific positions and studies.
Our members also receive key news, events, and information on federal policies that impact your work in our weekly e-newsletter.
Coalition Work
Working in partnership to advance U.S federal-level policies for the developmental sciences.
Our Policy Priorities
Scientific funding, workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more. See what our top issue areas are.
Our Latest Science Policy Actions
See our most recent letters to Congress, responses to federal agency calls for information, nominations, and other actions we've taken for our members.
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Get Involved with Science Advocacy
How We Serve Our Members
We work with dozens of other societies and organizations, in coalition. We regularly meet with U.S. federal officials and members of U.S. Congress. We sign on to letters, respond to U.S. federal level calls for information, nominate SRCD members to federal positions and more.
“SRCD plays a vital role in advocating on behalf of its members... For example, SRCD recently provided feedback on a proposed reorganization of the National Institutes of Health, which… if enacted, would impact many members of SRCD. But it is unclear whether SRCD members would have known that this change was being proposed without the efforts of the Society's policy staff. Thanks to those staff members, SRCD was able to publish a response outlining how the proposed changes would jeopardize scientific progress in fields from maternal health to early education.”
- Dr. Steven J. Holochwost, Chair of the Science Policy Subcommittee, within the SRCD Policy Committee
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Every spring, SRCD invites members to come to Washington, D.C. to tell Congress why funding science matters. This “Hill day”, as we call it in D.C., is a crucial way that you can help support the discipline. You get training and support all along the way, thanks to our coalition partner, COSSA.
“COSSA's Social and Science Advocacy Day is an amazing opportunity to gather with like-minded researchers and advocates in your state to form a cohesive story about why social sciences funding is so imperative. Meeting with my state’s Congressional offices was an insightful learning experience. I would recommend attending to anyone who wants to learn more about social science advocacy – there’s no better way than to be immersed in it on Capitol Hill.”
- Kelsey Corallo, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, Center of Excellence for Children's Behavioral Health
How Can You Get Involved?
SRCD’s Policy Committee helps the Policy Department make key decisions on our science policy priorities. We regularly engage with SRCD’s caucuses and coalition leadership, to ensure we are representing all members’ voices. Watch out for surveys, calls for input, and other updates in our weekly e-newsletter.
All SRCD members receive this benefit as part of your annual dues.
Other Ways You Can Get Involved
Check out some helpful resources, links, and blogs from affiliate organizations to help kickstart your engagement in science advocacy.
see our latest actions coalition work our policy priorities
Science Advocacy is a crucial program in the Child Policy Hub. For more information on how else SRCD helps advance evidence-based policy for our members, visit the Child Policy Hub homepage.
