Summer 2025 Science Policy Workshop

 A Changing Landscape in Science Policy: 6 Months into the New AdministrationJoin the Science Policy Initiative (SPI) and PhD Plus for a free science policy-focused professional development event from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm on August 13.  OVERVIEWThis half-day event is open to UVA graduate students and postdocs across all disciplines, and we welcome students and postdocs from other academic institutions across the Commonwealth who have an interest in science policy careers to participate virtually or in person. The interactive workshop will include a review of some of the larger changes to Federal agencies and funding programs over the past 6-months, an overview of the anticipated Senate and House of Representatives appropriations for the next fiscal year, and two panel discussions centered on the potential impact of these changes to graduate student and postdoc funding opportunities and how state agencies and offices are adapting.All interested participants who would like to attend in person must register before 5:00 pm on Monday, August 11. Virtual participants can register at any time before or during the event. This will help ensure the coordinators have an accurate list of all dietary restrictions and that all participants receive information on how to participate prior to the start of the event.  REGISTER HERE  HOW TO PARTICIPATEThis hybrid event will be held in person in the Brown Library Science and Engineering at UVA (Clark Hall, Room 133). Lunch and beverages will be provided for in-person attendees. If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us via Zoom. All interested participants must register to receive the Zoom link and instructions on how to join prior to the event.    Clark Hall - 291 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904 BRIEF AGENDAPlease refer to the section below for more information on each of our presenters and panelists.11:00 AM | Welcome and Overview (Savannah Lynn and Olivia Morren)11:15 AM | Six Months into the Administration: How Science Policy Has Changed (Julia Smith, moderator: Olivia Morren)12:00 PM | Lunch (pizza and drinks provided for in-person attendees)12:20 PM | FY-2026 Research & Development Appropriations (Alessandra Zimmermann; moderator: Zach Dawson)1:20 PM | Break1:40 PM | Panel Discussion - Impacts on Early Career Researchers (moderator: Savannah Lynn)Dean EvasiusEdward (Ed) EgelmanGwen Bouchie 2:40 PM | Break (snacks available for in-person attendees)2:50 PM | Panel Discussion - State-Level Impacts of Federal Policy Changes (moderator: Carreen de Cardenas)Chandler BrooksTreda GraysonLisa Eddy3:50 PM | Break4:00 PM | How Researchers Can Engage (moderator: Tim Ho)Adriana Bankston Julia DavisWei Li Werner FEATURED PRESENTERS & PANELISTS PhD Plus and SPI at UVA are excited to announce the invited speakers and panelists who will be participating in this event (listed alphabetically by first name).Adriana Bankston | AAAS STPF / ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow in U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Bill Foster; Illinois 11th District) Alessandra Zimmermann | American Association for the Advancement of Science, Senior Manager, R&D Policy for the R&D Budget and Policy Program Chandler Brooks | Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Legislative Services, Attorney Dean Evasius | NSF, Office of the Director, Chief of Research SecurityEdward (Ed) Egelman | UVA, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Gwen Bouchie | UVA, Office of the Vice President for Research, Executive Director of Research Strategy and Communications Julia Davis | UVA, PhD Candidate and 2025 COVES Fellow in Creigh Deeds’ Office Julia Smith | UVA, Executive Director for Federal Relations and Special Assistant to the PresidentLisa Eddy | Virginia Sea Grant, Competitive Research and Education Coordinator Treda Grayson | US EPA, Supervisor of the Targeted Community and Compliance Assistance Branch Wei Li Werner | Office of Senator Kaine, Legislative Assistant for Science ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe summer 2025 Science Policy Workshop is co-hosted and supported by SPI at UVA and the PhD Plus program. We would like to offer our appreciation to the leaders of the Planning Committee for their effort in organizing this year's event, including (alphabetical order by last name): SPI at UVACarreen de Cardenas, Zach Dawson, Tim Ho, Savannah Lynn, Olivia Morren, Mark Schwartz, Trevor Stone, and Isaiah SwannOffice of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs, PhD PlusEniola Afolayan, Amy Garrou, and Sam Lake SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS Science Policy Initiative at UVASPI is a student-led organization empowering scientists and engineers to be more informed and involved in science policy. We seek to enhance awareness about fellowship and career opportunities, provide support and professional development events to prepare students and postdocs for careers in science policy; and facilitate community outreach that supports evidence-based policies.PhD PlusPhD Plus is a university-wide initiative to prepare graduate students and postdocs across all disciplines for long-term career success. Our goal is to enable versatile academics who are deeply engaged with society’s needs to become influential professionals in every sector.