February 2026 Newsletter - Scientist Network for Advancing Policy

TLDR: Check out our new Medium blog, and join Stance on Science! Need a job or fellowship? Look at our “External Opportunities” section.

AAAS 2026

SNAP had a huge presence at the AAAS Annual Meeting this month in Phoenix, AZ! Over 40 SNAPpers were in attendance, bringing many of our organizers together for the first time. At the meeting, five SNAP members (Miles Arnett, Isako Di Tomassi, JP Flores, Erin Morrow, and Alex Rich) spoke on a plenary panel about the work that SNAP has done so far and the ideas that have inspired it, notably the urgent need to change the culture and the incentive structures that shape the scientific enterprise. Several members also presented their work in the E-poster sessions, and SNAP hosted a major reception on Friday evening with over 200 attendees from all sides and career stages of the science policy world! If you were at the conference but didn’t get to connect with us there, feel free to reach out!

SNAP Blog - Science Policy in a SNAP

We recently started a blog! You can access Science Policy in a SNAP on our website or give us a follow on Medium, where you’ll hear from a variety of SNAP member voices on diverse science and science-policy topics. Our recent reflection on the large SNAP presence at the AAAS 2026 Annual Meeting is now posted here! Have an idea for a post? Contact us and let us know.

Stance on Science

We want to know where candidates across the country stand on science policy issues that affect our communities. Stance on Science participants are asking science policy-related questions of candidates running in local, state, and national races during the 2026 elections. SNAP will then share their responses on our website so voters can better understand where candidates stand before they cast their ballots, and to increase discussion amongst voters about sci pol issues.

We need more volunteers! If you’re interested in helping in your state as a state lead or a volunteer, fill out this sign-up form. Please forward this email to others you know in these states who might be interested! Reach out to snapscipolorg@gmail.com with any questions. The following states still need at least one state lead:

Alaska
Arkansas
Hawaii
Idaho
Louisiana
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont

SciPol Course

SNAP is developing a modular science policy curriculum covering topics such as What is Science Policy?, How Government Works, Writing for Policymakers, Science Communication & Public Speaking, and Science Diplomacy. These resources are designed to educate students at our home institutions, support emerging university science policy groups, and strengthen early-career engagement nationwide. We have piloted these modules at a couple internal institutions and are working with external partners to gather more feedback. Right now, we are working on breaking down the science communication module more and refining our Science Diplomacy module.

SciPol Hackathon

Be on the lookout, SNAP’s hackathon is coming soon! It is a project-focused initiative where we are gathering early-career researchers to work collaboratively in teams, over a short period of time, to create a science policy technical product, a multimedia piece or a written piece of their interest. Additionally, each team will make a presentation for the competition and the presentations will be evaluated by domain experts for potential impact, creativity, and novelty. Sign up and submit ideas for projects here.

SCIENCE TALK ‘26

Several members of SNAP will be attending SCIENCE TALK ’26 in Portland, Oregon in March. In addition to several poster presentations, SNAPpers Alex Lando, David Ramotowski, Sneha Rao, Emma Scales, Emily Selland will give a panel discussion on mobilizing early-career researchers for nationwide initiatives! Check out more information at the SCIENCE TALK ‘26 program tab.

Will you be there, too? Let us know - we’d love to connect in person and hope to see you at the SNAP panel discussion on Thursday, March 26th at 2:00 pm PST!

External Opportunities

The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) announced it is accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of the McCain Global Leaders (MGL) program. Entering its fifth year, the MGL program supports character-driven leaders from around the globe who embody Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself. Previously known as Next Generation Leaders, the McCain Institute’s leadership program has prepared individuals to lead from a place of values and ethics since 2014. A diverse group of up to 25 leaders who are working “in the arena” to advance democracy, human rights, and freedom will be selected for the 12-month non-residential fellowship. Apply on LinkedIn
Project Drawdown is announcing a new program for PhD-level scientists called the Climate Science Serving America Fellowship. Fellows will work on designing climate solutions, as well as thought leadership and public service for climate change issues.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is accepting applications for internships! Find out more and apply on their website.
Argonne National Labs is hiring a Head of Quantum Science Communications to lead communications strategy and execution. Duties will include being the lead point of communication for the Q-NEXT quantum science center and the Argonne Quantum Institute. Find out more and apply here.

✨SNAPper Highlights and Achievements ✨

Check out these recent works by SNAP members and works mentioning SNAP members or initiatives!

SNAPPers and co-originators of the McClintock Letters initiative Emma Scales and Izzi Di Tomassi will be receiving the Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award on behalf of SNAP, the Cornell Advancing Science and Policy Club, and all those who participated in the McClintock Letters at the Research!America Advocacy Awards in D.C. on March 10th!
Kass Fernandez is still recruiting STEM undergraduate students for their dissertation study on mentorship. Sign-up here or help increase their reach by sharing on BlueSky and LinkedIn. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card!
Erin Cullinane and collaborators published a new study in AACR Cancer Immunology Research demonstrating that a novel microRNA (miR-149-5p) identified in airway premalignant lesions may contribute to immune escape and early progression to lung cancer.
Coalition of Athens Scientists SNAPpers in Georgia joined the Environmental Justice Day at the Capitol to lobby state legislators on environmental policy issues. We had productive meetings with state representatives Eric Gisler and Spencer Frye and briefly spoke with Representative Trey Rhodes and Senators Bill Cowsert and Frank Ginn. Learn more about our advocacy platform and how to get involved in environmental policy in Georgia here.
SNAP member Olivia Asher was interviewed by WUGA on her advocacy for a science-informed data center ordinance in Athens, GA. Listen here. Coalition of Athens Scientists receives Science for Public Good grant from Union of Concerned Scientists. They will be using this $1,500 award to build community advance science-forward policy in Georgia.
Olivia Asher gave an informational presentation on data centers and the science behind their environmental impact alongside Georgia Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard, local advocate Dr. Tawana Mattox, and Georgia State Representative Eric Gisler for a community town hall co-hosted by Coalition of Athens Scientists on data center policy in Athens, Georgia.
Olivia Asher is selected for SURA and AIBS science policy fellowship!
Coalition of Athens Scientists hosted a panel of local researchers who had their federal research grants terminated. Most researchers were working on STEM education or minority-focused health research. The researchers are finding creative ways to continue their important contributions, including taking second jobs.