Jekyll2021-05-06T09:11:32-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/feed.xmlScience Policy Initiative at UVAThe Science Policy Initiative at UVA is a student organization empowering scientists and engineers to be more informed and involved in science policySPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comHistory and Legacy of Eugenics and Health Disparities2020-08-12T00:00:00-07:002020-08-12T00:00:00-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/posts/2020/08/eugenics-history<p>Dr. Preston Reynolds joined us last week to talk about “UVA’s History and Legacy of Eugenics” as the first part of SPI’s seminar series concerning the Past Present and Future of Racial Inequity in Science-Based Policy.</p>
<p>For those who were not able to attend, you can find the reading materials and the recorded lecture (available in the background folder) in a google drive folder by clicking the button below.</p>
<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KsgCOis7y88b5zcrz75Nz_5E-fWE2Nas" class="btn btn--success">Reading Materials and Lecture</a></p>
<p>Please feel free to watch and share!</p>SPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comDr. Preston Reynolds joined us last week to talk about “UVA’s History and Legacy of Eugenics” as the first part of SPI’s seminar series concerning the Past Present and Future of Racial Inequity in Science-Based Policy.SPI-DAC: ACP Efforts2020-07-04T00:00:00-07:002020-07-04T00:00:00-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/posts/2020/07/spi-dac-env-acp<p>SPI-DAC environmental group has been working hard for 5 months to evaluate the impacts of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) on endangered species! We submitted our final report to the Fish and Wildlife Service on July 4th, 2020, just before the ACP was cancelled. Thanks to Wild Virginia and the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance for orienting us to this project. Check out our letter here.</p>
<p><a href="http://spiatuva.github.io/files/SPI-DAC_Comments_on_ACP_Impacts_on_At_Risk_Species.pdf">View PDF</a></p>SPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comCheck out the report from our SPI-DAC environmental group on endangered species impacted by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).Statement in Support of Black Lives2020-06-05T00:00:00-07:002020-06-05T00:00:00-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/posts/2020/06/Statement<p>The Science Policy Initiative at UVA joins our voices with millions in sorrow and anger at the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, David McAtee and thousands of other Black Americans who have died as victims of police brutality.</p>
<p>This can be a watershed moment for racial equity in the U.S., and we encourage our members who are able to pause your regular activities to support this urgent demand for real change in policy and culture. The Science Policy Initiative at UVA (SPI) is planning the following actions to support meaningful change:</p>
<ol>
<li>Amplify policy change demands made by experienced advocates at the National, State, and local Charlottesville levels. Examples include https://8cantwait.org/, https://www.joincampaignzero.org, and http://useofforceproject.org/#project. We will make opportunities to promote these policies known to our membership.</li>
<li>Advocate for meaningful change within UVA, including by promoting specific demands by the Black Student Alliance and by working to increase awareness of the long record of racial disparities throughout UVA’s history.</li>
<li>Increase SPI’s focus on racial equity policy. This includes raising our own awareness of how policy impacts people of color in science, and also doing more to actively identify and promote evidence-based racial equity policies.</li>
<li>Maintain accountability. History has shown us that policy change happens during short windows when issues are receiving national attention. SPI commits to following through to help ensure that policy is implemented across domains.</li>
</ol>
<p>Specific opportunities and events to fulfill these commitments will be planned on our <a href="spiativa.slack.com">Slack workspace</a> and promoted on social media <a href="https://twitter.com/SPIatUVA">@SPIatUVA</a>. If you would like to take part in our efforts, please contact <a href="mailto:spiatuva@gmail.com">spiatuva@gmail.com</a>. We also highlight that SPI seeks to provide a safe space for learning about how to be an advocate, and are always learning more ourselves. We welcome all comments, questions, and suggestions about these aims.</p>
<p>In solidarity,
SPI leadership team</p>SPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comThe Science Policy Initiative at UVA joins our voices with millions in sorrow and anger at the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, David McAtee and thousands of other Black Americans who have died as victims of police brutality.SPI Covid19 Response2020-05-12T00:00:00-07:002020-05-12T00:00:00-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/posts/2020/05/Covid19-response<p>As the COVID-19 crisis rages on, UVA scientists are continuing to band together to help. No matter your research area, you can demonstrate your commitment to mitigating this crisis by donating to the Scientists at UVA Fund. <a href="https://app.mobilecause.com/form/Hn0mYg?vid=83fy3"><em>Donate here</em></a>!</p>
<p>Current UVA partner groups supporting this effort include:</p>
<p>Graduate Engineering Student Council (GESC)
Women in Medical Sciences (WIMS)
Graduate Biosciences (GBS)
Graduate Biomedical Engineering Society Chapter (GBMES)
And of course, SPI!</p>
<p>Our fund is directly linked to Charlottesville Area Relief Fund (CERF), which <a href="https://www.nbc29.com/2020/05/06/cerf-cover-may-june-rent-charlottesville-public-housing-residents/"><em>recently donated $184,982 to cover May and June rent for public housing residents</em></a>. CERF has done this and so much more to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on vulnerable members of our community. We’re relying on your donations!</p>
<p>Even if you can’t donate, please share with your networks and tweet with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScientistsatUVAFund?src=hashtag_click"><em>#ScientistsatUVAFund</em></a>.</p>
<p>If you need help as a result of the pandemic, access resources here: https://www.supportcville.com/</p>SPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comAs the COVID-19 crisis rages on, UVA scientists are continuing to band together to help. No matter your research area, you can demonstrate your commitment to mitigating this crisis by donating to the Scientists at UVA Fund.SPI Direct Advocacy Committee Completes First Project2019-10-25T00:00:00-07:002019-10-25T00:00:00-07:00https://spiatuva.github.io/posts/2019/10/spi-dac-env-pfas<p>The SPI-DAC environmental group finished our first project in October, 2019!! The final product is titled “Scientific Support for the Regulation of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane,” and was distributed to the offices of the Southern Environmental Law Center throughout the southeast. Take a look at the final product here!</p>
<p><a href="http://spiatuva.github.io/files/SPI-DAC_EC_review_01-2020.pdf">View PDF</a></p>SPI at UVAspiatuva@gmail.comThe SPI-DAC environmental group finished our first project in October, 2019!! The final product is titled “Scientific Support for the Regulation of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane,” and was distributed to the offices of the Southern Environmental Law Center throughout the southeast. Take a look at the final product here!