Hey Reader, I hope you’re managing well with the developments in the US.
You might have seen in my last LinkedIn post that the US government deleted several climate change websites…
Many are now asking: how can we advocate for the importance of science & sustainability without risking repercussions?
Here are insights from my over four years of successfully advocating for change.
Today's Lesson: Safe & Effective Advocacy
How to stand up for what we believe in
Number Of The Day
The NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. In 2023, it awarded over $35 billion in competitive grants, funding nearly 50,000 projects across 2,500 institutions involving over 300,000 researchers in. However, the trump administration plans a 15% cut, translating to about 9 billion USD less for 2025. That means fewer grants, fewer breakthroughs, and a potential slowdown in scientific progress.
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Advocating Safely
Science has brought our society to where we are today. Without sustainable practices, it will not continue forever.
And we achieved all of this in less than 200 years! This accounts for less than 3% of the time human civilization has existed on earth. This graphic is largely based on a book called “Effective Advocacy in Social Work (Social Work in Action series) by Jane Dalrymple & Jane Boylan
We can rebuild trust in science and build support for sustainability through advocacy - here is how to do it safely and efficiently.
The Right Perspective
The key is to frame our message with a focus on effects.
Most advocacy is unsuccessful - because it is driven by anxiety. People feel intimidated by developments, and as a result, their message becomes an outcry that makes others defensive.
This graphic is based on ideas from opensocietyfoundation.org. They have a valuable guide worth checking out! They also advise asking the following: A) Is this particular issue in line with your larger mission? Which values and principles underlie your reasons for taking a particular stand? | B) Do you have the credibility, evidence, and the expertise you can bring to this issue? | C) Do you have something unique to say? Or are there other organizations already covering this issue?
Fortunately, shaping more effective messages will not only have a bigger impact but will also be safer for one’s position (& well-being).
Focusing on Others' Benefits
While most people associate advocacy with an emotional call, the goal is to prevent our counterparts from perceiving it that way.
If the point you advocate for is correct, it will inevitably create an inner conflict in your opponent—a clash between your factual argument and their emotional inclination toward what they want to believe.
This discomfort can lead them to reject your message outright, dismissing it as irritating. If they do not see another way to resolve the conflict, they may try to discredit or get rid of you.
BigThink has an article worth reading on how to effectively do science communication—while being cognizant of the limits of convincing others.
The solution is to frame your argument in a way that aligns with what matters to your opponents.
Even a tiny overlap is enough—the key is to avoid triggering an internal feeling of conflict. If they see even the smallest benefit to their position, your message will not be perceived as a threat.
Science
Don't: Do not argue that "data is the most powerful proof"
Conflict: Appealing to voters
Better: emphasize how innovation, advancements, and technological progress have historically been built on objective research and what happens if they don’t.
Sustainability
Don't: Do not focus solely on "environmental protection"
Conflict: Business interests
Better: frame it as enhancing human health and saving millions of dollars each year.
= Your point is the same, how you sell it differs
Remove Yourself from the Equation
You only risk backlash if people connect you to the threat to their own will. This happens when they perceive your message as a personal opinion.
To avoid this, do not dictating what should be done, but rather offering your opponent a new perspective on a challenge.
Using metrics and concrete examples is best, and makes it easier to illustrate the benefits of your claim.
Powerful metrics? Reduced effectiveness of workforce, state expenses for less effective treatments, increase in comorbidities.
That said, you should still deliver an emotional message—but channel emotions that your audience can relate to and empathize with.
For example, rather than directly confronting someone with problems, share a story about the patients who will suffer from a lack of medical research.
On the other hand, three papers published in 2013, 2014 and 2017 about the beneficial role of a "hero" figure in scientific stories.
Choosing the Right Channel
Remember that you are not alone in this!
If you are in a vulnerable position, consider leveraging stronger allies to amplify your voice. For example, craft your story and share it with an organization that can advocate for you.
This table comes from a working paper by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (ie3). They state that advocacy initiates were scored as success (1) or not successful (0) and these are the resulting statistics.
If you are a scientist fighting for your next grant, this could be the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
If you are a sustainability manager, it could be ReAdvance.
Also, keep in mind that people—even those who support you—may unintentionally misinterpret or pass along your message to the wrong audience.
But that should never stop you from speaking out. Instead, find someone who can represent your message safely. Many science communicators and advocacy movements specialize in protecting anonymity while amplifying important voices.
Applying The Knowledge
From personal experience, I can advise you to wait a day before sending your message.
A) It will allow you to settle the emotions that flare up during writing.
B) It gives you the chance to review your line of thought with fresh eyes.
Ionescu et al. published a critical review on the advocacy literature. They conclude that Timing, Context and Legitimacy (integrity and noticeable effort) are the three key categories to be considered.
Make it concrete. Advocate for a specific colleague by sharing their story, or highlight the importance of a particular grant. Avoid broad statements—people relate more to personal narratives, and specificity makes it harder for opponents to argue against or dismiss your points.
Be mindful of trigger words. Investigate whom you are talking to and revisit whether you can use related words expressing a similar meaning, e.g., sustainability <-> efficiency.
Upcoming Lesson:
Driving Change Against Resistance
How We Feel Today
References
Ionescu, A., et al., 2024. Misunderstood and underappreciated: A critical review of mental health advocacy and activism in low- and middle-income countries. Health Policy Plan., 39(5), 528–539. doi:10.1093/heapol/czae016.
Jones, M. D., & Crow, D. A., 2017. How can we use the ‘science of stories’ to produce persuasive scientific stories? Palgrave Commun., 3, 53.
Jones, M. D., & Song, G., 2013. Making sense of climate change: How story frames shape cognition. Polit. Psychol. doi:10.1111/pops.12057.
Jones, M. D., 2014. Communicating climate change: Are stories better than “just the facts”? Polit. Stud. J. doi:10.1111/psj.12072.
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