Share and Advocate
Sharing Science Program
Sharing Science is an AGU science communication and outreach program that offers resources, webinars, workshops, hands-on support and opportunities to help scientists communicate more effectively with diverse audiences about Earth and space science and its importance and impact on society.
Science communication and outreach allows you to increase your research profile, become a scientific resource in your community, break down barriers to scientific literacy and build an ongoing dialogue with people you interact with daily.
We want to give you the tools you need to effectively convey the value of your work. There are many paths to engage with different audiences about science and its value. We can help you improve your science communication skills with the media, policymakers, and community groups, and teach you how to use social media and multimedia.
Third Pod from the Sun is AGU's podcast where you can hear true stories, from scientists, for everyone.
Sharing Science communication workshops
Voices for Science
Sharing Science grants
Sharing Science Online Community
The Sharing Science Community is a community of science communication and policy-interested folks. Through AGU Connect, members have the opportunity to interact with one another, access to a library of >100 scholarly manuscripts on the science of science communication, the opportunity to receive information and opportunities from us, and more.
Join our community
Become a part of a community of scientists committed to building community, informing, policy, and engaging in outreach to increase public understanding of Earth and space science.
Join
Science policy opportunities
Opportunities and resources
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AGU’s Congressional Science Fellowship – The Congressional Science Fellowship program places highly accomplished scientists and other professionals in the offices of either an individual member of Congress or on a committee for a one-year assignment.
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Local Science Partners- Brings scientific expertise, passion, and a diverse range of interests to their work integrating the sciences with decision-making.
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Legal education for scientists – To better prepare the scientific community for legal challenges around their work, correspondence or public statements, we created a legal education program with the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. Learn more about the events we offer.
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Voices for Science – In 2018, AGU launched its Voices for Science program to train scientists in two communications tracks: science policy and media/community outreach.
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Science policy webinars – Get the information you need about federal science funding, legislation, and other critical issues around science policy.
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Science Votes the Future is AGU's elections initiative, providing talking points, tools, and tips to engage your candidates in science policy
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The Bridge Blog - The Bridge is an AGU blog that connects science and policy. It provides a platform for scientists, policy makers, and experts to communicate ideas about the science policy interface.
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Global Policy at AGU- AGU offers many opportunities for scientists from around the world to get involved in science policy, from educational webinars to advocacy programs.
Connect with policymakers
By speaking out on policy issues, you can help reinforce the value of Earth and space science and its impact on society. When lawmakers, regulators and policy influencers understand the value of your science, support for more robust science and increased funding of science grows.
AGU can help empower you to engage in science policy by giving you the tools you need to effectively advocate on issues that matter to the scientific community.
Meet with your lawmakers
Track science issues
Contact your
elected officials
Position statements & resources
AGU offers resources on issues related to Earth and space science. Our science impacts areas from agriculture to energy and we hope to enable our scientists and policymakers to develop solutions to these issues.
Our position statements provide scientific expertise on significant policy issues related to our science. They are developed by a task force of experts, submitted for a member review period, and approved by AGU’s Board and Council. Members can propose new position statements via this form.
Explore by topic area, or view all position statements here.
Climate issues
Position Statements:
- The Urgent Priority of a Healthy Climate Requires Enhanced Climate Intervention Research and Community Engagement (Chinese) (French) (Hindi) (Portuguese) (Spanish)
Fact Sheet: Climate change
Data management and research
Economic value
Position statement:
Fact Sheet:
Education and academia
Geohealth
Position Statement:
- GeoHealth: A Transdisciplinary Science for Global Environmental and Human Health (Chinese) (French) (Hindi) (Portuguese) (Spanish)
Fact Sheet: Geohealth
Hydraulic fracturing
Fact Sheet: Hydraulic fracturing
National security
Position statement:
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The capability to monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) should be expanded, completed, and maintained (Chinese) (French) (Hindi) (Portuguese) (Spanish)
Fact sheet: National security
Natural hazards and resilience
Position statement:
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Fostering resilience requires partnerships among scientists, practitioners, policymakers, boundary organizations, and communities (Chinese) (French) (Hindi) (Portuguese) (Spanish)
Fact sheet: Natural hazards
Natural resources
Position statement:
This position statement is currently under revision by a writing panel of experts from AGU’s community as part of a recurring four-year review process to reflect current research and understanding of the issue. The community comment period for this position statement ran from 5 December to 20 January 2023 and is now closed. The expert writing panel will now work to incorporate the community’s views to finalize the draft and ensure that the science is reflected accurately. The draft statement will then go for review before the AGU Position Statement Committee, Council and Board. While the updated statement is being finalized, please refer to the most recent position statement:
Fact sheet: Natural resources
Write your policymakers!
Follow AGU’s science communication and policy efforts
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Listen to stories from our scientists via our Sci & Tell podcast!
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The Plainspoken Scientist blog – Stay informed on the latest outreach tips and best practices in science communication from AGU staff, experts, and scientists in our Sharing Science program.
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The Bridge blog – The Bridge is our blog connecting science and policy. Follow the blog for legislative updates from AGU staff, information on the important role science plays in decision making, as well as posts from members, policymakers, and experts.
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@AGU_SciComm on Twitter – Follow the Sharing Science program on Twitter for tips, tricks, science communication news, and more.
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@AGUSciPolicy on Twitter – Follow us on Twitter for more on the latest events and news around Earth and space science policy.
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Science Policy Alerts – Sign up to receive timely email alerts to keep you informed on science policy happenings and help you share your expertise and views with your elected representatives in a meaningful manner.
Letters to policymakers
As a scientific society, AGU is often called upon to explain the importance of Earth and space science and its impact on society, as a way to inform decisions that shape policy across the country. This often means we write, or co-sign, letters to lawmakers and regulators that explain our position on certain topics and provide information or highlight issues affecting the science community. Visit our letters page to read recent letters by date, the receiving agency or office, and scientific topic.
You can also read our various position statements on issues important to Earth and space science. (Position statements and fact sheets are near the bottom of the Science Policy tab)
Give Earth and space science a voice: Contact your policymakers
Stay informed about U.S. science funding and legislation
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Current Fiscal Year Budget: What it means
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Video: The President’s Budget Request and Why It Matters - The President's Budget Request is released every year. Learn the basics, including how it impacts science and why it’s important.
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Video: Appropriations: How Congress Allocates Funding to Science – Learn more about the U.S. appropriations process in this video.
Share your science in the news
Sharing your science with traditional or online media outlets can get your work in front of a broader audience and promote the value of scientific research. But it helps to have tips for working with reporters, journalists, public information or communications officers.
Whether you’re writing an op-ed or letter to the editor, participating in a phone interview, appearing on a radio or news broadcast, or looking to connect with a journalist, AGU can help support your science communication efforts. Check out our resources and toolkits, including in-depth guidance and downloadable tip sheets to help you get started.
Resources and opportunities
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Craft an elevator pitch – For many scientists, one of the most terrifying questions they can get is “What do you do?” We can help you make your message clear.
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Speak without jargon – Words commonly used in your scientific discipline might get in the way of your audience clearly understanding your science. Learn how to speak with simplicity and precision.
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Rehearse – Practice mock interviews with the media, and other audiences, using these questions developed by the Sharing Science program.
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Publicize your research – Learn the best ways to publicize your published research and expand its reach even further.
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Be a science expert – The Sharing Science Network connects members of the media with scientists whose expertise is relevant to their story ideas.
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Write an op-ed or letter to the editor – Writing an op-ed or letter to the editor gives you the chance to raise awareness of scientific issues and promote or defend Earth and space science’s contributions to societal issues.
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Request a Sharing Science workshop – Would your organization benefit from learning more about being better science communicators? Contact us to learn more and schedule a workshop.
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Apply for a Mass Media Fellowship – AGU sponsors university students in the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship program, a 10-week summer internship at a traditional or online media outlet.
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Voices for Science – This AGU program trains scientists in two communications tracks: science policy and media or community outreach.
Tips for
interviews
Message
worksheet
Newsworthy
science
Sci & Tell
Working with
the media
Request a workshop
Sharing science in your community
When you share your research in your community, you can help broaden people’s understanding of the important role Earth and space science plays in society. Whether you’re doing participating in a science event at a nearby elementary school, giving a lecture on the Paris Climate Accord for a regional community group, or hosting Nerd Nite at your local coffee house, AGU and its Sharing Science program can help you develop your outreach skills and communicate science in the most effective way to individuals in your community.
Our resources offer in-depth information on science communication skills and downloadable tip sheets to help you get started. For a more personalized experience, you can request a Sharing Science workshop for your institution.
Resources for outreach in your community
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Craft an elevator pitch – For many scientists, one of the most terrifying questions they can get is “What do you do?” We can help you get your story straight.
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Write a plain-language summary – While scientists often communicate with peers in jargon, abstracts help ensure research is accessible to non-scientists and can get your research noticed. Learn how to write a plain-language summary for your research.
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Learn how to give a presentation – A complete guide for planning for, preparing your message, and giving a presentation in your community.
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Speak without jargon – Words commonly used in your discipline might get in the way of your audience clearly understanding your science. Learn how to speak with simplicity and precision.
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Have a conversation about climate change – A conversation about climate change that starts close to home can help influence the public perception of science and advance the dialogue around climate change. Learn how to talk about climate change.
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Rehearse – Practice mock interviews with any audience using these questions developed by the Sharing Science program.
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Reach out to a K-12 audience – Share your science message with a younger student audience to influence the next generation of scientists and citizens.
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Request a Sharing Science Workshop – Would your organization benefit from a workshop on communicating to community groups? Contact us to learn more and schedule a workshop.
Quick scicomm
tools
Watch your
words
Message
worksheet
Community
science
Paths to
engagement
Request a workshop
Using social media or multimedia to share your science
Social media and forms of multimedia (videos, slideshows, podcasts) can be effective tools for communicating your science with diverse audiences, and in some cases can allow you to engage with and reach people whom you might not otherwise encounter.
Sharing science network can help you develop or deepen your science communication skills using different social media and multimedia platforms.
Before you sign up for a social media account or invest in multimedia efforts to share your science, make sure you know what you want to say to your chosen audience and what you want them to get out of it. Keep it simple, interesting, and relevant. Your content should reflect your intended audience’s interests and behaviors.
Boost your digital savvy
To get started, the best approach is to become familiar with one medium before deciding to expand your efforts to other platforms. Keep in mind that social media by definition requires socializing, so don’t be afraid to get out there and engage frequently, make connections, and network!
How to get started using social or multimedia
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Start a blog – Blogs make it relatively easy to get your message out to a diverse audience, while also giving readers an easy way to comment, share your content with their own networks and find other things you’ve written.
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Share on Facebook – Facebook is a good way to share new information from other websites or blogs and interact with other people or groups who are involved in similar research or communications activities.
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Post to Instagram – This photo- and video-based social platform that has become increasingly popular with scientists and organizations as a way to showcase beautiful and striking images of their science.
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Feed your Tumblr– Tumblr is a hybrid medium: It combines images or videos with related text, which makes it a powerful medium for showing and explaining science to followers, as well as sharing other users’ work.
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Tweet it out– Short, messages can be a simple way to share science with a broad audience. It’s is also popular with science journalists and policymakers. Like other platforms, Twitter has its own set of rules for getting follows, likes and retweets.
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Make a science video – Clear, visually interesting videos are a great way to share your science with new audiences, and they can be further amplified using social media.
Webinar on
social media
#SciComm via
social media
Social media
guide
Request a workshop
Contacts
Sharing Science