The Research and Science Policy Update is a periodic digest of news items related to important developments that impact biomedical researchers, including issues such as research funding, government oversight, and regulatory burden. In addition, reports related to research endeavors around the world and from research advisory groups are presented. The information contained in the Research and Science Policy Update is assembled by the ASIP Research and Science Policy Committee (RSPC), and products of this Committee’s work will be highlighted.
Chair, ASIP Research and Science Policy Committee
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Summary of “Ask a Reporter Anything” Webinar |
On June 16, 2021, SciLine (an editorially independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit service for journalists and scientists with the goal of helping to get more science into news stories) and AAAS provided a webinar to brief scientists about how reporting on science is done. Usually it is reporters asking scientists the questions. Here, after a brief discussion of what goes into scientific reporting from the experience of reporters, scientists had a chance to ask reporters the questions. The entire video and transcript is available here.
Participants:
Meredith Drosback, SciLine (Moderator)
Laura Helmuth (Scientific American)
Naseem Miller (Journalists’ Resource at the Kennedy School; previously health reporting for Orlando Sentinel)
Brian Grimmett (KMUW Radio, Kansas)
Introduction: Recent trends in (science) reporting due to advance in internet and social media
- Newsroom employment declined 23% between 2008 and 2019.
- Newspapers hardest hit (50% ↓).
- News cycle is now much faster.
- There are fewer people covering more stories.
- Science is relevant at the local level, but many local news outlets have lost their STEM reporters.
- Despite what’s been going on with the pandemic, 87% of people trust scientists; only 50% trust media. Therefore, reporters want scientist to explain science and to be believable experts.
Audience questions:
Why are deadlines so short?
- With the continuous news cycle, reporters are looking for stories to fill the paper/air space.
- Everyone wants fresh news.
- Everyone wants a scoop, especially large papers and media outlets.
- Science stories are often embargoed; there may only be a few days between when a paper is accepted and when the embargo lifts for the reporters to get their “scoop” prepared.
How can I prevent being misquoted?
- Nowadays stories are often online before they go into print - online stories can be corrected.
- Ask reporter to read back what you said (they do want to get it right).
- Editors tend to want to make things simple. If you can anticipate how changing a word or leaving out a phrase would change the meaning, alert the reporter ahead of time.
Who writes the headlines? Are they the same people who write the story?
- The Editors, not the reporters; this is why the headline may not reflect what you said.
- The barrier to changing a headline is lower than fixing the story.
- You can always change a misleading headline.
How do you verify information?
- Rely on multiple sources.
- Double check everything; then check again.
- Factcheck.org is a national organization that does this for you.
- Large news organizations will employ their own fact checkers.
How do you accurately convey uncertainty (as has been brought out by COVID-19)?
- The public expects physicians and scientists to be certain.
- There is a need to teach the public about the scientific method.
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For things like COVID-19: “This is what we know thus far...”
- Individuals might follow social media to see what conspiracy theories are circulating.
What is the difference between “on the record” and “off the record?”
- When you talk to a reporter, what you say can be published unless you both agree that it won’t be.
What makes for a great science interview?
- Explain the research in clear language for a general audience.
- Explain the significance of the findings.
- Explain what you did and the status of the work (ongoing, published, about to go into clinical trials, etc.).
- Ask the reporter: “Is that clear? Should I repeat it?” Err on the side of over-explaining.
- If you can share a human angle of the research, it is a plus (for instance: You wanted to study cancer ever since your grandmother died from it, etc.).
How do you get diversity in the expert pool?
- SciLine has an expert pool where people sign up to be contacted by reporters; They have voluntary diversity questions when you sign up.
- There are databases of URM scientists.
- Reach out to local reporters, they want to hear from you. If you are asked to comment on a story and cannot for some reason (or even if you can), suggest a colleague who is also an expert but of a different gender, ethnic, racial, etc. group than you so that they hear comments on the impact of the finding from a variety of angles.
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Ask a Reporter Anything: A briefing for scientists about ...
Why wasn't I quoted? Who wrote that headline? Is your deadline really in one hour? On June 16, 2021, SciLine, a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), hosted a virtual "Ask a Reporter Anything" event, inviting...
Read more
www.sciline.org
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Research!America’s 2021 National Health Research Forum is free and open-to-the public. This is a three-day virtual event and has features and sessions designed for early career researchers or anyone looking for ways to make a difference. As part of the National Health Research Forum, coming up September 13-15, Research!America is pleased to invite you to join two special conversations between prominent national leaders and early career researchers – it’s a new feature of the forum. At 2:30 PM EST on Tuesday, September 14, tune in for a conversation between Anthony Fauci, MD, and neurobiology postdoc Alexandra ColĂłn-RodrĂguez, PhD. Then, at 3:30 PM EST, listen in on a discussion with Keila Miles, PhD, as she speaks with the Honorable Donna Shalala, PhD, and Elias Zerhouni, MD.
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Funding Available for Early Career Researchers to Support Civic Engagement Projects |
Research!America has announced that applications are open for the Civic Engagement Microgrant Program, which is now in its fourth year. Microgrants of up to $4,000 will be awarded to graduate student and postdoc-led groups to design projects that create dialogue with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around issues of common concern. The funds provide opportunities for grantees to develop skills in communication and program planning, along with an understanding of policy and government in order to have an impact in their local areas. “As COVID-19 clearly shows us, the need for scientists to engage effectively with the public has never been greater and the next generation of scientists is paving the way,” said Mary Woolley, CEO of Research!America. “The microgrant program supports students and postdocs from around the country to meet the needs and interests of their local communities in creative ways. We are grateful to the Rita Allen Foundation for their continued support of this important program.” With the global pandemic in mind, in-person, virtual and hybrid events will be supported for this program cycle. Ongoing support will be provided by Research!America staff along with opportunities to develop skills in public policy, program development, and strategic communications. A portion of grant funding will be allocated to “Science Meets Science,” which supports collaboration between STEM scientists and social scientists in executing civic engagement projects. Applications are due by midnight on Monday, October 4. More information
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From the National Institutes of Health
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Guide Notices regarding the grant application process and expectations:
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NIH Reverses 2019 Restrictions on Human Fetal Tissue Research |
On April 16th, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Guide Notice reversing restrictions on human fetal tissue research put in place by the Trump Administration in 2019. A key change was the elimination of the requirement for extramural research grants and contracts proposing use of human fetal tissue to be reviewed by an Ethics Advisory Board. In addition to eliminating the Ethics Advisory Board for extramural research, the NIH confirmed that the policy update removes restrictions that prevented intramural researchers from acquiring new fetal tissue upon exhaustion of existing resources.
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NIH Funding and Grants Webinars |
NIH Virtual Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration. If you are an administrator, researcher, early-stage investigator, graduate student, or anyone new to working with the NIH grants process, then this seminar is designed specifically for you. More experienced? Attend our policy updates and check out our case study series. Registration is free and will open soon. The program will run November 1-4.
Fall 2021 Virtual Grants Conference. The Fall 2021 Virtual Grants Conference is designed to give new faculty, researchers, and administrators key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. NSF program officers will be providing up-to-date information about specific funding opportunities and answering attendee questions. Registration will open on Wednesday, September 8 at 12 PM EST. For those who cannot attend the live conference, all recorded conference sessions will be available on-demand shortly after the event. This event will run October 4-8.
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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Maximizing the Scientific Value of Secondary Analyses of Existing Cohorts and Datasets in Order to Address Research Gaps and Foster Additional Opportunities in Aging Research (posted by NIA on August 23)
Notice to Extend the Response Date for NOT-ES-21-009 "Request for information (RFI) on Climate Change and Health". Previous deadline was August 30. New deadline is September 17. FASEB is not preparing a response (posted by NIEHS on August 26)
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Supporting Data Sciences in the IDeA States through the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase I Program (posted by NIGMS on August 26)
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Supporting Women’s Health Research in the IDeA States through the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase I Program (posted by NIGMS on August 26)
Notice of Special Interest to Encourage Eligible NIH BRAIN Initiative Awardees to Apply for PA-21-071 Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (posted by NINDS on August 27)
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Ethical Research Virtual Workshop |
On April 28-29, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a workshop to explore the opportunities and challenges for researchers, institutions, and funders in establishing strategies to promote effective data management and sharing. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the workshop also sought to assess stakeholder preparedness for implementation of the agency’s final policy for data management and sharing beginning in January 2023. A key challenge cited throughout the two-day workshop is balancing the perception of data management and sharing as compliance versus a way to expand scientific reach. This will require culture change across the scientific enterprise. It will also require resources – financial, physical, and technical. Various barriers to data sharing were identified, including data type, format, and accessibility. There was also extensive discussion regarding the need to balance mandates, such as the NIH policy, with incentives to foster the desired data sharing ecosystem. Workshop materials, including background materials and presenter slides are posted here.
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Protecting U.S Biomedical Research from Undue Foreign Influence |
On August 26, OHRP hosted a virtual workshop on “Supporting Ethical Research Involving American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) Populations.” The goal of this workshop was to provide the research community with a practical framework for conducting and reviewing human subjects research involving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. The panelists addressed tribal interests in research, notions of community harm, suggestions for investigators on their research design, including how to balance research interests and indigenous values, and finally, training information for IRBs and ethics review boards. The discussion focused on the importance of the ethical perspectives of Indigenous Communities in planning, reviewing, and conducting research with their community members. The agenda and recording of this event are available at the link provided.
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The ILAR Roundtable on Science and Welfare in Laboratory Animal Use Issued Their First Article in the NAS Scientist Series |
The NAS Scientist Series aims to educate the public on animal research contributions to science, animal, and human health. The first article, “The Important Role of Animals Research in mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Development” was written in collaboration with the NIAID Policy, Planning, and Evaluation Branch and discusses the role of mouse, hamster, and primate research in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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2021 Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD) |
The 2021 Biomedical Research Awareness Day is sponsored by Americans for Medical Progress and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the role of animal research in medical breakthroughs. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, September 16.
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Institutions wishing to participate can do so here; FASEB will participate virtually through social media postings and circulation of FASEB advocacy materials
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Register for the upcoming webinar, “From Monkeys to Children: What Nonhuman Primates Can Teach Us About Psychiatric Disorders” here
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Diverse Issues in Higher Education |
Report Analyzes Institutions’ Racial Justice Statements and Action Plans. NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) conducted research to evaluate racial justice statements and follow-up actions made by institutions spanning from May 25, 2020 to February 1, 2021 and outlined their findings in a 36-page report.
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Women’s Equality Day was on August 26th - commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote and highlighting the accomplishments and challenges still faced by women today. Read more about Women’s Equality Day here.

Anti-Racism Resources
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On Wednesday, the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications (C4DISC) released an Anti-Racism Toolkit for Organizations. FASEB signed on to C4DISC’s statement of diversity principles in 2020. This resource was also featured in a Scholarly Kitchen Blog post.
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Did you miss the June 29 – 30 NASEM Workshop on Addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism in 21st Century STEM? Never fear, recordings and presentation materials are available on the project website.
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