The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund leads and participates in a variety of events for scientists and the public throughout the year. These range from workshops and webinars for researchers to help them understand their legal rights and responsibilities to presentations about attacks on science and scientists.

We hold events at many scientific conferences, including the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, and we often collaborate with organizations such as 500 Women Scientists and the ACLU.

Please contact us if you’d like us to hold a training or workshop for scientists at your organization or to request that one of our attorneys speak at your event.

Find Us at Upcoming Scientific Conferences

ESA Annual Meeting, August 11-16, 2019

Know Your Rights: Legal Issues for Scientists Interested in Advocacy and Activism
Monday, August 12, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

In this workshop, attorneys from the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund will cover the practical legal issues that active scientists should be aware of. We’ll focus on why and how scientists should separate their personal advocacy and activism from their professional role. We’ll also discuss what falls under the definition of “lobbying” and how federally-funded and federally-funded scientists can be politically active without violating anti-lobbying laws. Our goal is to arm researchers from all disciplines with the tools and knowledge they need to safely and effectively organize and speak up for science, and help them understand what to do if they end up in political crosshairs. 

GSA Annual Meeting, September 22-25, 2019

Best Practices for Communicating on Contentious Science Topics
Tuesday, September 24, 9:55 a.m.

Although the chances of encountering serious trouble are small, there are things scientists should be aware of when it comes to discussing politically contentious or emotionally-charged topics. In this talk, Augusta Wilson, a CSLDF attorney, will discuss best practices for communicating on social media and other online platforms, how to respond to negative or threatening messages, what scientists should know if they want to be politically active, and other lessons learned from counseling hundreds of researchers over the years. These tips will help scientists communicate clearly and effectively to people from different backgrounds, and help the public make informed science-related choices while minimizing pitfalls for science communicators.

 

Ways Scientists Can Speak Up for Science
Tuesday, September 24, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Scientists from all disciplines are increasingly looking for ways to make their voices heard. Some of the common activities researchers engage in include interacting with policymakers, pushing back against attacks on science, writing op-eds and open letters, and participating in the legal process by serving as an expert witness. In this informal workshop, attorneys from the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund will discuss these and other ways scientists can get involved in science advocacy, communication, and political engagement. We’ll also talk about what both public sector and federally funded researchers should be mindful of when participating in these activities, so they can avoid encountering problems or legal issues.

American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 9-13, 2019

Attorneys from CSLDF will participate in events that help scientists understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and offer free consultations for scientists who have legal questions related to their work. More details coming soon.

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