FABBS sponsored four students to attend the 2026 Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop, hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The selected FABBS students participated in discussions, presentations, and panels with policy and science experts, learning how to talk about their research and advocate for federal support for science. The inaugural FABBS cohort included Yalda Daryani, Jessica Arend, Ellie Xu, and Kyndal Mays, who shared some of their takeaways from the experience.
- Please share something you learned during the workshop that you found particularly interesting or engaging.
Yalda: One of the most interesting things I learned was that science is only one input into policymaking. I had always assumed that if the evidence was strong enough, it would naturally lead to good policy. But the workshop emphasized that decisions are also shaped by budgets, values, political priorities, and timing. That shift really changed how I think about impact. It made me realize that being an effective scientist isn’t just about producing good research. It’s about understanding the broader system and communicating your work in a way that fits within it.
Jess: I learned how to communicate my research more effectively and enthusiastically. Workshop speakers emphasized that the best way to share science is to tell a story. What challenge does your science strive to meet? Which people are affected by your research? Policymakers and the public are inundated with information, making it difficult to identify what is accurate and important. Sharing our science through stories is a memorable, meaningful way to connect with others and communicate the impact of our work.
Ellie: I really appreciated the overview of the federal government, which helped me better understand Congress’s role in authorization, appropriation, and oversight. It clarified how central Congress is in determining science funding, and highlighted the influence that scientists can have by advocating directly to congressional officials.
Kyndal: Something that really stuck with me was the reminder that policymakers are people too. It can be easy to think of government officials as distant or inaccessible, but the workshop emphasized that personal connection matters, especially in advocacy. Sharing your own story, explaining why your research matters to you, and finding common ground with a staffer or representative can be so powerful, especially coupled with data. That humanizing perspective made the idea of engaging with policymakers feel much more approachable and genuine, especially heading into our Hill visits and future advocacy efforts.
- Share a highlight of your experience — this could be Hill visits, a powerful presentation, a networking conversation, or anything else!
Yalda: A highlight of my experience was the Hill visits organized by FABBS. It was my first time speaking directly with congressional staff, and I expected it to feel intimidating but it was surprisingly engaging and human. The staffers were genuinely interested, asked thoughtful questions, and it felt like a real conversation about how social and behavioral science can inform policy. Another meaningful part of the experience was connecting with an alum from my program who is now an AAAS fellow. It was incredibly helpful and motivating to see someone who followed a similar path now working directly in policy on Capitol Hill. That made the transition from academia to policy feel much more tangible and attainable. Altogether, the experience shifted how I see my role from someone studying social issues to someone who can actively contribute to how those issues are addressed.
Jess: I really enjoyed meeting with our legislators on the Hill. I met with staff from my hometown’s congressional office and shared how federal funding has allowed me to pursue graduate training opportunities that I didn’t even know were possible growing up! I also discussed how my research can improve mental health outcomes for our community. I was struck by how welcoming and attentive most staffers were; they clearly want to support young scientists. Also, I found it so heartening to meet the other graduate students supported by FABBS to attend the CASE Workshop. Working alongside peers who are so passionate, thoughtful, and bright reminded me that the science community is stronger when we work together!
Ellie: It was exciting to meet with the congressional offices of Representative Correa and of Senators Schiff and Padilla! I was encouraged by how receptive Congressional staffers were to hearing our stories and our concerns about science and science funding. I was also surprised to hear that some staffers were not yet aware of specific issues, such as the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) discussions about dismantling the Social, Behavioral, and Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorate. It felt like I was playing an important role in raising awareness of these issues and their consequences.
Kyndal: A major highlight was getting the opportunity to visit the Hill and meet with the offices of my Alabama senators, accompanied by the Executive Director of FABBS, Juliane Baron. It was incredibly meaningful to share firsthand how federal funding cuts, especially to NSF, are directly impacting my work as a scientist and my graduate training. Being able to put a face and a personal story to these issues felt important, especially at a moment when so many researchers are feeling the uncertainty of the shifting landscape. I left feeling like my voice genuinely mattered in those conversations. An equally rewarding part of the experience was connecting with scientists from across disciplines, from biomedical research to agriculture and many more. It’s easy to stay siloed in your own field, but being in the room with researchers tackling such a wide range of challenges was a real reminder of just how interconnected and vital the broader scientific community is. That sense of shared purpose was both energizing and inspiring to continue with advocacy work.
- How will your experience impact the way you move forward in your career or on your campus?
Yalda: This experience has changed how I think about impact and how I plan to engage with my work moving forward. I now see advocacy as part of the research process, not something separate that happens later. Practically, that means I will be more intentional about how I communicate my research: leading with real-world impact, using accessible language, and connecting my work to the communities and issues it affects. On campus, I also want to share what I learned with other students. I’ve already started doing this by creating a public-facing guide that translates the workshop into practical tools for communicating science and preparing for policy engagement. My goal is to make advocacy feel more accessible to other researchers who may not have had this kind of exposure (check out Yalda’s Advocacy Guide!). Longer term, this experience has strengthened my interest in engaging more directly with science policy, whether through collaborations, public communication, or future opportunities in policy spaces. It made that path feel both meaningful and attainable.
Jess: One workshop speaker noted that when people were asked to describe their attitudes towards science, the most common word was “hopeful” – across political parties and demographic groups. As a scientist in training, I’ve sometimes found it difficult to feel hopeful about my future and our field. However, attending the CASE workshop helped reignite some optimism. There are many brilliant, hardworking people dedicated to protecting the future of science and health research in the U.S. and globally. I am grateful to build skills in science policy and advocacy that I can share with my peers and carry forward into my career: communicating science clearly, collaborating with my community, encouraging colleagues to do outreach outside our institutions, and reminding policymakers that investing in science is an investment in a better future.
Ellie: I hadn’t realized how seriously my concerns would be taken by congressional staffers, and how I might be the first person to talk with them about specific concerns that impact researchers in the behavioral and brain sciences. This experience has shown me that my voice matters as an individual. This experience has inspired me to continue to be involved in advocacy, and to continue to spread the word about how scientists can play an important role as advocates.
Kyndal: This experience gave me a renewed sense of hope and purpose around advocating for science. Science is valued across disciplines, backgrounds, and political parties. The connections I made with researchers across fields reminded me that the strongest science happens when we work together and motivate one another. Moving forward, I’m committed to carrying that advocacy spirit into every level of my work. On campus, that means continuing my involvement in suicide prevention efforts and encouraging fellow researchers to see advocacy as an important part of their role as scientists. At the state and federal level, this workshop showed me that showing up and speaking up genuinely matters, that my story and science can move the needle on issues that impact all of us. I leave feeling not just more equipped, but more motivated to advocate for the science that is being done and will continue to be done, and the communities it serves.
