Overcoming Institutional Barriers to Science Communication

While many scientists now seek to bring science to bear on key issues, faculty members face institutional barriers in bringing relevant science to society. These barriers include competing demands on our time, lack of acknowledgement or reward for engaging with decision-makers, and little training in when, how, and why to engage. While culture is slowly changing within institutions, academic success is largely measured by publications and grants, and there is a lack of incentive, training, or time for activities outside this narrow realm.  If we want faculty to move beyond the ivory tower, we must find ways to incentivize other outcomes beyond funding and publications.  Leopold fellows are serving as agents of change in Universities, and we will share our experiences in science policy and outreach from within academia. Participants are invited to share their own experiences and dialog about this topics on Twitter using the session hashtag #ETFI.