Ten tips for communicating with Congress—and why it is worth doing

Abstract

As this year’s AIP-ASA Congressional Science Fellow, I have a up-close view of how scientists’ voices are received on Capitol Hill. I am often surprised, both by what catches the attention of legislators and their staffs and by how impactful a brief meeting can be. With research funding decisions and acoustics-related public policy at stake, there can be major benefits to engaging with Congress and planning these interactions strategically. I will share some suggestions for doing that, based on my observations and advice from House and Senate staffers. While the general guidelines of science communication apply, I will focus on the timelines and tendencies of this unique institution and areas where acoustical scientists may be most connected.