How scientists can impact public policy with Congressional Deputy Chief of Staff Jeremy Marcus

When Science Speaks

Note for listeners: This week's episode with Jeremy Marcus, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, was recorded in September 2020, prior to the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

This week's episode features Jeremy Marcus, who's served for 7 years as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the office of U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA). Previously, Jeremy served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Russ Carnahan, Democrat of Missouri.

On this week's episode, Mark and Jeremy discuss topics including:

How Jeremy views the role of science and academic research in the policymaking process

How Jeremy and his colleagues rely on outside experts

Strategies or activities Jeremy considers effective and beneficial for staffers who work cooperatively with outside scientific advisors

Unproductive or unhelpful behaviors from outside experts Jeremy has observed and pitfalls for PhDs and other experts to avoid

For scientists and other subject matter experts who want to help shape policy from the inside, some of the potential entry points into policymaking - either at the federal, state, or local level - that Jeremy considers likely to be more successful than others

How the policymaking process has been affected by COVID-19, and what accommodations that are being made Jeremy could see continuing even after the need for social distancing has passed

What Jeremy likes most about his job