Physics Professor goes to Capitol Hill with AGU to discuss Geoscience with the legislators

Dr. Huang, Associate Professor of Physics, will participate in the Geosciences Congressional Visits Day (Geo-CVD) organized by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Dr. Huang has been chosen to participate because her State’s House Representative is on the House Appropriations Committee. AGU partners with other geoscience societies to host Geo-CVD on 11-12 September in Washington, DC.

AGU will schedule meetings for Geo-CVD participants with Members of Congress and their staff so that participants can discuss their research and illustrate the importance of supporting federally funded research through agencies such as DOE, EPA, NASA, NOAA, NSF, and USGS. Facing a difficult budget environment, it is vital for the scientific community to stay involved in these discussions. The intent is to show that scientists care about how our nation’s laws affect the scientific community and that scientists want to get involved with science and politics at the national level to make a difference. This is a great opportunity for scientists to come to our nation’s capital and promote science. Geo-CVD is a great first step in establishing lasting, impactful relationships with the House Representative and Senators’ offices.

Participants will attend an intense orientation workshop on September 11. The afternoon will include a luncheon briefing on how to communicate with legislators, an overview of the Federal budget and appropriations process, and ample time for questions. A discussion with current and former Congressional Science Fellows will follow. Topics will include how to improve communication with Congress, science priorities in the current session of Congress, and preparation for the next day’s visits. Geo-CVD participants visit their congressional delegations on Capitol Hill on September 12 and attend the Annual U.S. Geological Survey Coalition Reception on Capitol Hill in the evening.