Mary Woolley, President and CEO Research!America is the nation’s largest nonprofit public education and advocacy alliance whose goal is to make research to improve health a higher national priority. ACDP

Dr. Karen Liller, Dean of Graduate Studies USF “…there is growing recognition that scientists need to take the lead in communicating their research findings and offering insight into the scientific process to community groups, business leaders, politicians and other decision makers.” “These are the conduits for change who will influence or implement public policy. If we as researchers cannot frame our work with messages that are understandable and relevant, the policy decisions may be uninformed and we’ll all live with the consequences.”

USF / Pfizer / Res. Am. USF sub-committee (3) Sought support of USF leadership across campus April-Oct 2011 $7,500 USF for workshop $700 filming other costs covered by other partners (Pfizer & Res!Am)

Science Advocacy Workshop (~1.5 hrs) Session 1 Why Research Matters in Florida Strategies for Successful Advocacy Effective Communications Engaging Elected Officials Meetings-Letters-Phone Calls Public Opinion Matters The Influence of the Media

Science & Journalism Forum (~2 hrs) Session 2

Science Journalism’s Brave New World Panel 1 Sheril Kirshenbaum research scientist (UT Austin, Center for International Energy & Environmental Policy); research scientist (UT Austin, Center for International Energy & Environmental Policy); science columnist Bloomberg View; science columnist Bloomberg View; hosts blog, Culture of Science; hosts blog, Culture of Science; co-author, Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future co-author, Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future Elie Dolgin, PhD (Genetics) biomedical reporter, Nature Medicine; biomedical reporter, Nature Medicine; former Assoc. Ed., The Scientist magazine former Assoc. Ed., The Scientist magazine Claudia Dreifus “Conversation with…”, The N.Y. Times science section “Conversation with…”, The N.Y. Times science section Charlotte Sutton health & medicine editor, St. Petersburg Times (Florida’s largest newspaper) health & medicine editor, St. Petersburg Times (Florida’s largest newspaper) (Moderator) Irene Maher health reporter, WFLA-TV, Tampa; health reporter, WFLA-TV, Tampa; health reporter, St. Petersburg Times health reporter, St. Petersburg Times former host, Florida Matters, WUSF-TV former host, Florida Matters, WUSF-TV

Selected Discussion Points Journalism / Science Forum At a time when science and journalism have become increasingly complex, what are the implications for communicating science to the public? How is the changing face of journalism affecting public understanding of research? What makes research newsworthy? What challenges do journalists face when trying to report research results? Who are the most trustworthy spokespersons for science news? What can researchers do to communicate more effectively? What are some practical and effective strategies for improved communications between researchers and journalists? What are best practices for journalists and scientists to guide their presentation of complex information to the public? How can science and journalism work together to improve both science and media literacy? How can researchers develop a better understanding of the public— specifically the public’s interests and information needs?

Age GroupFrequencyPercent total PartyFrequencyPercent Democrat28035 Republican32841 Independent19224 total Ideology RecordedFrequencyPercent Liberal Moderate Conservative total EducationFrequencyPercent No College Degree College Degree total

92%92%92%92%

79%79%79%79%

91%91%91%91%

If every American made a small cash donation… In 2010, Americans spent $24.78 billion on gift cards 55,491 NIH Grants, or… National Cancer Institute for ~5 years Which would fund ACDP 2010

Science Advocacy Agenda, part 1 USF

Science Advocacy Agenda, part 2 USF