In order to develop a scientific enterprise that benefits everyone, scientists must engage with the communities their work impacts and serves.

While public engagement with science occurs through a variety of avenues, such as museums, national parks, and makerspaces, developing strong, lasting connections between scientists and the communities in which they live and work remains challenging.

Increasingly, scientists have begun to recognize the value of leveraging art in their outreach efforts. After all, science and art have a lot in common - they both involve creativity and communicating with others. The arts can go beyond traditional science communication by serving as a useful tool to reach broader audiences and build emotional connections.

The panelists showcased in this event lead local community engagement at the intersection of art and science, not only using art as a medium to educate about science, but also to empower citizens to take evidence-based action. 

Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) is a nationwide organization dedicated to increasing local government and community engagement by people with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). ESAL was launched by engineers and scientists who have worked in public policy. Visit our ESAL website to learn more and sign up for notifications of future events