Sheeva Azma

1 week ago | fancycomma.com | Sheeva Azma |byFancy Comma

By Sheeva AzmaFrom the hyperlocal and unglamorous to the glamorous and downright self-sacrificing, working in science policy can have it all. From small to large, no action is too insignificant (or too much) when it comes to science policy. As scientists, perhaps we take federally-funded science for granted. It can also feel weird to step into the policymaking role and advocate for something we clearly love sooo incredibly much.

3 weeks ago | fancycomma.com | Sheeva Azma |byFancy Comma

By Sheeva AzmaI may be a science writer and policy consultant, but one thing people may not know about me is that I have also been a US government/civics educator and curriculum developer. Talking to science-minded people, I have learned that this viewpoint is somewhat unique. Yes, we live in dynamic times as scientists and science policy professionals, but perhaps thanks to my civics and government knowledge, I am less fearful that most.

4 weeks ago | fancycomma.com | Sheeva Azma |byFancy Comma

By Sheeva AzmaEngaging voters early in the campaign is key, writes Ben McGuire. Analyzing (and optimizing) large troves of campaign data can help. Outside of political campaigns, data is crucial to help make important decisions — using analytics to drive decision-making at major companies is something that is pretty standard. The data is often plentiful — too plentiful — and the most difficult task is to analyze it and see in what ways it can aid in decision-making.

1 month ago | fancycomma.com | Sheeva Azma |byFancy Comma

By Sheeva AzmaAs science policy professionals, we are more than the impressive job titles and institutions on our resumes. As I have previously written, Congressional staffers and interns work really hard. There’s a lot to do and it keeps changing every day. Especially given our elected lawmakers’ need to opine and establish policy based on the 24/7 breaking news ecosystem — as leaders tend to do — it can really be a lot.

1 month ago | fancycomma.com | Sheeva Azma |byFancy Comma

By Sheeva AzmaOne thing I wish more people — not just scientists interested in policy, but everyone in the US — knew about how our government works here in the US is how hard Congressional staffers and interns really work. It’s important to know what sacrifices your government makes to support you as constituents, and it’s also good to know as a reality check for scientists who want to, like me, work in Congress.