The world is grappling with complex challenges, from climate change to public health and the emergence of AI, all of which place scientists at the forefront of the search for solutions. As students and early-career scientists, we question how we can make an impact in these challenges within and outside of our research.
Science Policy Action Network (SPAN), aims to provide a community for early-career scientists to bridge the gap between science and policy! We aim to raise awareness of scientists’ roles for evidence-based policy, highlight relevant careers, train on transferable skills, generate policy recommendations as early-expert researchers, and open doors to a diverse networks of organizations, faculty, and policy-makers.
Ready to learn and to make a difference with your scientific expertise? Join us and be part of a movement to drive impactful change!
We are a student association aimed to bring together Post-docs and PhDs, as well as Masters students and Bachelors students at EPFL.
To do this, we are composed into three distinct pillars of action and coordination.
- Workshops on transferable skills
- Invited talks and panels discussions with professionals working at the science-policy interface
- Events held 1-3x each semester
- Authored policy briefs produced and peer-reviewed by members
- Continuously produced throughout the year
- Community networking events
- Communication about jobs & external events
- Professional connections to help inspire and inform potential career paths
- Events held 1-2x each semester
SPAN Pillars
Education and Outreach
We want to inform and motivate students and early-career researchers about the current state of science-policy efforts and career opportunities. Furthermore, we want to provide training on transferable skills, such as science communication and policy writing. Our outreach and education events come in the form of talks, panel discussions, workshops, and more.Events to be held (…)
Action and Policy
We aim to produce peer-reviewed policy briefs and recommendations that brings our member’s cutting edge research and expertise to pressing issues. We focus on areas where traditional scientific avenues fall short, especially on local and regional issues.The Action Pillar is designed to be the thriving product of our early-career researchers who wish to bring the (…)
Networking
We aim to bridge students/early-career researchers and leaders in science policy and highlight potential career paths at the science-policy interface and beyond.We seek to bring together EPFL scientists with professionals at the science-policy interface through talks, roundtables, and professional networking events. Whether you want to learn more about potential next-steps in your career, or seek (…)
Interested in joining our student association? Fill out our mailing list and join our WhatsApp community where we plan and coordinate events (link in the mailing list form)!