From across the AAPS membership and from partners in many sectors, we hear and share widespread concern that participatory science activities will be impacted by the current curtailing of US Federal agency budgets, personnel, and programs. AAPS is grounded in the work of science, education, and civic engagement. We care deeply about this country’s commitments to and global leadership in those areas as a whole.
The AAPS Board offers the attached position statement (below) to make sure that, in the midst of changes, the significance and value of the participatory sciences––and of Federal agency leadership in these practices––is not overlooked.
Participatory sciences are not partisan. These projects take place in every state (red and blue alike), and involve people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Projects touch on almost every area of exploration, discovery, decision, and concern. Core to participatory sciences is delivering both research findings and public value from doing science together.
US Federal agencies have helped lead the way, over the past 50-plus years, in fostering participatory science projects as a way to more readily engage and respond to communities and priorities. With the ingenuity and insights of people from across this country, the research results from these projects are more robust and more relevant. We urge the current administration to recognize the value of participatory sciences as unparalleled in their contributions to the people of this country and to the US scientific enterprise. And, as an Association, we recognize and celebrate the creativity and hard work that so many Federal agency leaders, staff, and contractors have brought to these practices. Thank you for your vision and your commitment to connecting research and the American people, for today and for the future!
Jennifer Shirk (Executive Director) and Jay Benforado (Board Chair), Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences
