Pathways for scientific impact through local civic engagement 2221

Abstract Description To effectively improve global health and elevate public understanding about the immune system, it is critical to educate immunologists about pathways for public impact. At the same time, policy leaders across the country are facing contemporary challenges ranging from public health to biosecurity; at the state and municipal level, leaders are often ill-equipped to address the constantly evolving social, legal, and political questions that these challenges raise. This reality presents the perfect opportunity for individuals with immunology backgrounds to lend their technical expertise to the aid of their community. First, though, immunology experts need to be adequately equipped with the knowledge and relationships necessary to advise the diverse and complex community of stakeholders that exists at the state and municipal levels. This presentation will explore techniques and case studies developed by Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL), a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing local civic engagement by people with STEM backgrounds, to showcase effective strategies for public education in immunology and public health at the local level. Topic Categories Immunology Education and Communication (EDU)