UCSF Science Policy Group

Who are we?

SPG at UCSF serves as a platform for discussing science policy issues, providing resources & training for science policy education, and initiating advocacy within and beyond UCSF.

Our events and projects are entirely shaped by the interests of our incredible leadership members!

Example topics include:
    -Research funding
    -Vaccine equity
    -Criminal legal system policy
    -Drug policy/harm reduction
    -Gender equity

Explore our leadership

What do we do?

SPG at UCSF hosts a wide variety of events every year.

View our events

Professional Development

Our professional development events help prepare our members to engage with policy as scientists, whether as a potential career or as a supplementary interest.

Skill building

We have held workshops on communication and advocacy skills, including effective use of social media and persuasive writing for elected officials and the public.

Policy career exploration

We have invited speakers to discuss their careers in science policy fields and help our members follow in their footsteps.

Advocacy

Beyond hosting events at UCSF, we advocate for issues we care about directly to people in power.

Advocacy training

We have hosted a variety of workshops to prepare members with no prior experience to visit the State Capitol and advocate for an issue of their choice, including an Advocacy 101 workshop, a Civic Engagement workshop series, and a policy Memo Writing workshop.

Advocacy opportunities

In addition to phone banking campaigns, we have organized advocacy visits to the CA State Capitol in Sacramento and have participated in the March For Science (D.C.) and CASE workshops.

Community Engagement

Many of our best and biggest events aim to engage the public beyond UCSF itself.

Mutual aid

Our biggest mutual aid action was a year-long Clean Hands project, where we distributed 2,200+ gallons of hand sanitizer in over 62,000 bottles to CA jails/prisons, the Navajo Nation and other underserved COVID-vulnerable communities.

Engaging with the democratic process

We have moderated the 2019 Last District Attorney debate, provided information about voting and voter registration, and hosted ballot measure pros & cons sessions.

Community education

We have provided many opportunities for the public to learn more about science and science policy, including a public screening of the documentary "Human Nature" and a series of panels about controversial “Hard Questions” like defunding the police and SF’s housing crisis.