February 03, 2017
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jamie Vernon
Director of Science Communications and Publications
Editor-in-Chief of American Scientist
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
jvernon@sigmaxi.org or 800-243-6534 ext. 223
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. ― Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society is partnering with the March for Science, an event that will bring scientists and science advocates to Washington, D.C., on April 22, 2017. Sister marches are also being planned for cities across the country and around the world.
The effort, which has quickly gained thousands of followers in the scientific community, has been billed as a celebration of science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community. The organizers have two goals: one goal is to encourage the use of science in policy decisions by reaching out to elected officials from all political parties; the other is to encourage scientists to reach out to their communities and discuss the research they do and why it matters.
Sigma Xi—which is the largest, multidisciplinary scientific honor society with approximately 110,000 inductees worldwide—is nonpartisan and apolitical. Its mission is to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public’s understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition.
“Sigma Xi is supporting the March for Science to promote research, not a political party, position, or leader,” said John Nemeth, Sigma Xi’s CEO and executive director. “Since 1886, we have been a standard-bearer on ethics and integrity and achieving excellence in research, which we believe are universally shared values.”
The Society’s contributions to the marches will include promoting the events to its members, affiliates, young explorers, and chapters; encouraging participation from the public; possibly having rallying points at the marches for members; acting as a media partner through American Scientist, the Society’s award-winning magazine; and providing guidance to the organizers, such as identifying speakers and other potential partners for the events.
More about the March for Science: https://www.marchforscience.com/