IBANGS Website Advocacy / Engagement Site:

Science plays a crucial role in society by driving innovation, improving health, strengthening our economy, and deepening our understanding of the natural world, ultimately enhancing the quality of life. The International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society (IBANGS) is a member of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS; www.fens.org) which actively engages in science policy in Europe. IBANGS believes that engaging with the community is essential to bridge the gap between research and public awareness, fostering trust in scientific discoveries and ensuring that advancements in behavioral and neural genetics benefit society as a whole. By communicating our findings, scientists within the society can inspire future generations, inform policy decisions, and address ethical concerns, reinforcing the relevance of their work beyond the laboratory.

Members of IBANGS have a long history of science advocacy and community engagement. If you are a member involved in science advocacy and community engagement, please reach out to [email protected]. We would love to hear about the work you are doing, and if you are comfortable, we would be happy to highlight this important work within the IBANGS community.

Regulations on how you advocate vary by country, municipality/state:
Science advocacy is important! Make sure you know your rights. Regulations vary. When in doubt, advocate as a private citizen (i.e., make sure to use a personal email and engage in activities outside of work). 

How can I be a science advocate? 

• Learn to explain your research to people with non-science backgrounds “How to construct and deliver an elevator pitch: a formula for the research scientist”

• Write an article in a local media source like a Newspaper: Science Homecoming can help you figure out which paper to target.

• Participate in Preschool to Grade 12 School Outreach Activities

• Participate in a Podcast

• Speak to the media (journalists, talk-show hosts, etc) about your science

• Get involved with scientific societies in your area advocating for science. For example, attend ‘Capitol Hill Day’ with the Society for Neuroscience. ‘What I Learned at SfN’s Capitol Hill Day’

• Participate in advocacy forums at scientific meetings

• Make a short clip of what you do for social media. For example, check out InvestNscience.

• Build a conversation in your community. For example, ‘Address science misinformation not by repeating the facts, but by building conversation and community’

• Reach out to local politicians with your concerns

• Talk to policy makers in your community (see additional resources below)

• Volunteer in local non-for-profit organizations that participate in causes you believe in.

• Incorporate your science into your classroom teaching

• Give public lectures

• Participate in community fairs
  

• Open Calls to Action
  • Petition to Reverse the NIH Indirect Cost Cap (NOT-OD-25-068) from The Addiction Science Defense Network Petition Advocacy

Additional Resources:

Research America

Learn about how science is being portrayed by government entities: The War on Science Slide Deck

Participate in an online community of engaged Science Advocates: ‘Scientists for Science Slack’

March for Science with your local community or Nationwide: Stand up for Science

See the inspiring science article about the organizers of the 3/7/2025 Stand up For Science Protest:: https://www.science.org/content/article/i-really-wanted-something-happen-students-behind-stand-science-protests?utm_campaign=Science&utm_source=Bluesky&utm_medium=ownedSocial

Untwisting the Ladder: The Use and Misuse of Behavioral Genetics Research’ webinar (Please contact administratoràibangs.org for video link and passcode).

Various ways to reach out to your local politicians, depending on your research area:

American Psychological Association
https://www.votervoice.net/APAAdvocacy/Campaigns/121382/Respond
Society for Neuroscience
https://www.sfn.org/Advocacy/Advocacy-Network/Advocacy-Action-Center/Available-Actions#/
Five Calls
https://5calls.org/

Virtual panel discussion, "Untwisting the Ladder: The Use and Misuse of Behavioral Genetics Research" held November 13, 2024 with Dr. Amy Non (UC San Diego), Dr. Daphne Oluwaseun Martschenko (Stanford), and Dr. Gene E. Robinson (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and moderator, Dr. Marissa A. Ehringer (University of Colorado).

This virtual panel discussion explored the ethical, scientific, and societal implications of behavioral neurogenetics research. Panelists discussed how genetic research has advanced our understanding of behavior while also addressing historical and contemporary misapplications, including eugenics, genetic determinism, and the reinforcement of social inequalities. 

‘Neuroscientists need to do better at explaining basic mental health research’ by Omar Abubkajer, Karla Kaun, Eric Nestler published 21 January, 2025 in the Transmitter 

Synopsis: The knowledge gap between scientists, health-care professionals, policymakers and people with mental health conditions is growing, slowing the translation of basic science to new treatments. Like lawyers learning to present a case to the court, scientists should learn to educate nonscientists about their findings. This story was followed by an example of how members at the university of one of the authors, Kaun, more broadly participate in advocacy for addiction research: ‘A Case for Addiction Science Advocacy’

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