Science Policy Boot Camp

What is the Sigma Xi Science Policy Boot Camp?
Join us for a four-day deep dive into state-level policy making with practitioners, leading experts in science policy, communication, and engagement. The boot camp includes open participation, hands-on learning activities, and signature events including a science policy hack-a-thon.

Session Types:

Plenary: 60-minute session with 45 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes Q&A

Panel: 3-4 people will participate on a panel of professionals where we will provide10 minutes for individual introductions, 30 minutes of facilitated discussions, and 15 minutes of Q&A with the participants

Working Sessions: 90-minute workshop that consists of 30 minutes of plenary, 30 minutes of activity or deep dive, 30 minutes of reflection and discussion on how to execute ideas in your community.

Hack-a-thon: Final day where participants form teams and put their new tools and knowledge into action by developing and presenting a real world science policy solution.

Awards:

First place—$1,000
Second place—$750
Third place—$500

Location:

The Science Policy Boot Camp will take place at multiple locations around North Carolina’s Triangle area, including Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park (RTP). Event spaces will aim to orient participants to policymaking environments and connect people in unique settings. Exact locations will be provided closer to the event.

Questions?

Email programs@sigmaxi.org if you have questions or would like to learn more about Science Policy Boot Camp.

Cost:

General Attendance
Early-bird (before July 6th): $200
Regular registration: $250
Student: $85

Sigma Xi Members
Early-bird (before July 6th): $125
Regular registration: $150
Student: $75

Need financial assistance? Need-based funding for registration and travel is available on a case-by-case basis for students and young professionals. Please fill out the financial assistance form to apply.

Schedule

(All times EDT; Details subject to change)

Day One: Monday, July 22, 2024

"Introduction to Policy and North Carolina Government"

Goals:

Level set and introduce the policy landscape (in NC)
Explore the different cultures of research and policy making
Foster connections among participants

1:00 p.m.— Check-in

1:15 p.m.— Opening Remarks/What to expect
Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi; Publisher, American Scientist
John Fear, Deputy Director, North Carolina Sea Grant

1:30 p.m.— Cultural Differences Between Research and Policy Settings

2:30 p.m.— Introduction to North Carolina State Government
Chris Cooper, Professor and Department Head of Political Science and Public Affairs, Western Carolina University

3:30 p.m.— The Transition to Policy
Emma Hughes, Sustainability Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

4:30 p.m.— Achieving Policy Outcomes
Tyler Norris, Chair, NC Clean Energy Fund Board, James D. Duke Fellow

5:15 p.m.— Happy Hour at Boxyard

Day Two: Tuesday, July 23, 2024

"Exploring the Branches of State Government and Policy Making"

Goals:

Understand the levers of government and policy making
Explore the role of science in policy making
Tour of Government Buildings

9:00 a.m.— Engaging with the Executive Branch as a Science Advisor or Expert
David Kaiser, Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Innovation, NC Rural Center

10:00 a.m.— Transforming Research into Practical Information for Use by State and Local Government

10:45 a.m.— Break

11:30 a.m.— Science and the Legal System
Nancy Hardison, Assistant General Counsel, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Boz Zellinger, Section Head - Special Prosecutions and Law Enforcement, North Carolina Attorney General

12:30 p.m.— Lunch

2:00 p.m.— Guided Tour of the Legislative Building

4:30 p.m.— Happy Hour at Morgan Street Food Hall

Day Three: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

"Innovative ways to engage in policy"

Goals:

Identify personal motivations and biases of policy engagement
Understand role of non-governmental organizations
Explore tools for engaging with the policy process

9:00 a.m.— Launching and Sustaining Government-Research Partnerships (VIRTUAL)
Jenni Owen, Director, NC Office of Strategic Partnerships

10:00 a.m.—Budgeting for Science in Hyper-Partisan Times
Jeff Warren, Executive Director, North Carolina Policy Collaboratory

11:00 a.m.— The Role of State Academies in Advising Policy Makers (VIRTUAL)
Donna Gerardi Riordan, Executive Director, Washington State Academy of Science

12:00 p.m.— Lunch

1:00 p.m.— Tools and Platforms for Advancing Science Policy: How to Use Technology to Track, Train, Engage, and Create for Policy
Cody Hill, Head of Growth, UpState
Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi; Publisher, American Scientist

2:00 p.m.— Coffee Break

2:30 p.m.— Policy Memo Preparation, Writing and Delivery to Legislators
Debbie Stine, Founder and Chief Instructor, Science & Technology Policy Academy

Day Four: Thursday, July 25, 2024

"Science Policy Hack-a-thon"

Hosted by:

Adriana Bankston, Former Senior Fellow, Civic Science & Public Policy, Sigma Xi
Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi; Publisher, American Scientist

Goals:

Create a policy relevant product
Apply learnings and tools from previous days
Make new connections

Details: Join us on the last day of the boot camp for the Science Policy Hack-a-thon to apply what you learned towards a practical application in policy! We will assist you with developing your idea in science policy and create a tangible policy-relevant product. We will share an example of a successful pitch that you can emulate, as well as provide help in the form of coaching, team building and resources to help develop your idea. Finally, we will assemble a committee to judge the submissions. Winners will receive cash prizes, have their ideas showcased on the Sigma Xi website and highlighted in a subsequent blog post detailing the bootcamp outcomes.

Cash prizes:
$1,000 first place
$750 second place
$500 third place

9:00 a.m.— Introduction of Policy Challenge Opportunities (NC Project Portal)

9:15 a.m.— Team Formation and Overview of Resources Available for the Challenge, including Data, Software Engineering Support, Pitch Coaching, etc.

9:30 a.m.— Hacking and Preparing for the Submission

12:00 p.m.— Lunch

1:00 p.m.— Pitch Presentation Preview

4:00 p.m.— Final Presentation and Prize Announcements

5:30 p.m.— Reception and Happy Hour

SciPol Bootcamp

SciPol Bootcamp headshots 1

SciPol Bootcamp headshots 2

Science Policy Boot Camp

Session Types:

Awards:

Location:

Questions?

Cost:

Schedule

Day One: Monday, July 22, 2024

"Introduction to Policy and North Carolina Government"

Day Two: Tuesday, July 23, 2024

"Exploring the Branches of State Government and Policy Making"

Day Three: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

"Innovative ways to engage in policy"

Day Four: Thursday, July 25, 2024

"Science Policy Hack-a-thon"

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