Biology in the Federal Science

Enterprise

Howard GarrisonFederation of American Societies for Experimental

Biology

April 17, 2008

Three Questions How does FASEB describe and represent

biology with respect to science policy? What are the metrics for determining

FASEB’s effectiveness? How will FASEB provide science policy

advice for the new Administration and the next Congress?

21 FASEB Member Societies Representing ~85,000 scientists

What is FASEB?

Advocacy Is A Core Part of Our Mission Pre-1989

Six member societies Centralized organization Major scientific meeting

Post-1989 Public affairs emphasis New governance Rapid growth

What We Do Policy development Government liaison and advocacy Policy research Communications Coalition building Public outreach

Policy Development Mechanisms Consensus conferences

Subject matter experts Face-to-face interaction

Science Policy Committee Organized into issue-based subcommittees Staffed by professionals

Ultimate oversight by FASEB Board

Core Public Policy Issues Federal funding for research Protect the environment for research

Create the next generation of scientists Fight regulatory burden

Animal research Stem cell research Research misconduct Conflict of interest Biosecurity

Challenge political interference in Peer review Science education

How does FASEB describe and represent the biological sciences Scope of involvement

Experimental biology Biomedical and related life sciences Agencies: NIH, NSF, USDA, VA and DOE

Representation Membership (21 societies) Working scientists

Communications Initiatives Washington Update Breakthroughs in Bioscience State advocacy PowerPoints E-action alerts

Subscribers Mass alerts

Research reports Training Funding trends

Evolution Coalition survey and report

Legislative Relations Activist tradition of FASEB leadership Capitol Hill office

Full-time presence Strong working relationships with staff

High-level consultants Strategic intelligence Access

Metrics for determining success Outcomes

Appropriations increases Regulatory restraint

Animal research (AWA; AETA) Operational definition of research misconduct

Membership Responses to e-action alerts Visibility Influence Recognition

National Awards 2002 Research!America award for an

“Organization That Has Distinguished Itself by Its Advocacy”

2007 National Postdoctoral Association “Distinguished Service Award” Individual development plan Publications on workforce issues Advocacy for health benefits for postdocs Addressing the needs of under-represented

minorities

Targets for new Administration Presidential campaign

Communications with candidates Public education

ScienceCures.org Debates

White House meeting? Strengthen agency relationships

Leadership meetings Staff communications

Targets for Next Congress

Member meetings FASEB President FASEB Capitol Hill Days Member society meetings

Freshman briefing E-action alerts Issue briefings?