How Scientists Can be Involved in the Run Up to the 2020 Election
We’ve teamed up with the American Geophysical Union to host two free webinars on Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, October 13. The webinars will help scientists from all disciplines participate in electoral politics or engage directly with their legislators as private citizens fully, confidently, and effectively.
The first webinar in the series on September 28 from 2-3 p.m. ET, entitled “How Scientists Can Be Involved in the Run Up to the 2020 Election: A Conversation with Climate Science Legal Defense Fund,” will cover how scientists can be involved in campaigning and other political activities during the 2020 election. Attorney Augusta Wilson will discuss whether scientists can donate to a candidate, volunteer for a campaign, and engage in other political activities. The goal is to ensure that researchers understand how to participate in politics to the fullest extent possible while minimizing any negative repercussions in their professional lives.
Wilson will discuss certain limitations on political expression and involvement likely to be relevant for many scientists during campaign season, particularly the Hatch Act. She’ll also talk about how the First Amendment protects scientists’ rights—both government employees and those in the private sector—to participate in political activism.