"You can change the image of things to come. But you can't do it sitting on your hands...The science community should reach out to Congress and build bridges."
-The Honorable John Edward Porter, Research!America Chair
Here are some ideas for changing the image of things to come:
Plan what you are going to say
Write no more than three sentences about how research saves lives and money
Include just a few details or examples to support your statement
Use Research!America issue briefs as examples
Choose different examples for different audiences. For example, when presenting to someone that has a child with diabetes, use examples from the diabetes issue brief about how research helps save lives.
Get to know and use public opinion poll data
- Public opinion polls allow the voices of a state's or nation's residents to be heard; because they are factual and not assumptions they can support your statement and influence policy makers and other leaders
- Use public opinion poll data to help make your case
- Share the poll findings within your organization, your community, with local media and local government officials
Work with government officials
- Talk with the government relations staff at your organization, or professional groups to which you belong, to learn how you might work with them
- Learn which state and federal officials are involved in research and related issues
- Use online advocacy resources to learn how to contact elected officials and to access tools that can help, such as how to write a letter to a legislator
- Invite your senators and your representative in Congress to visit your lab/clinical center to see how taxpayer dollars get spent in their state/district
Work with the media
- Talk with your organization's media relations/communications office to learn how they can help you reach out to members of the media. Volunteer to be a spokesperson on your area of expertise.
- Contact reporters who cover research and related issues and suggest new sources or story ideas they might consider
- Write a letter to the editor expressing your viewpoint-positive or negative-of a story about research you read; be brief and use examples and poll data.
Say "thank you"
- Thank officials for their actions that are supportive of research and science
- Send a thank-you letter to your senators and your representative in Congress when you receive federal funding support. Mention that what you have in common is working in the public's interest
- Thank reporters for unbiased coverage or explaining an issue well to the public
Keep Advocating
- Successful advocacy happens over time; there are no overnight successes
- Promote medical research regularly through your organization's newsletter/Web site
- Take pride in being an advocate for health research -- as much pride as you take in being a researcher in the public's interest