Science Policy Happy Hours
ESEP's happy hours are informal networking and engagement opportunities for professionals, students, academics and enthusiasts - at all career levels - who share an interest in science policy or science communication. Come have a drink and meet members of ESEP!
In the pre-pandemic era, regional, in-person science policy happy hours would take place across the United States. Beginning in 2020, ESEP began hosting monthly virtual happy hours in partnership with our friends at the National Science Policy Network (NSPN). We have recently returned to in-person happy hours in the DC area.
Contact esepcoalition@gmail.com if you're interested in hosting science policy happy hours in your region in the post-pandemic future.
Past Happy Hours
April Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, April 19
Where: Franklin Hall, 1348 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC
Science Policy Shindig
When: Saturday, March 4, 9-11:30 pm
Where: Dacha Beer Garden’s Loft, 1600 7th St. NW
January Happy Hour
When: Thursday, January 5
Where: Whitlow’s, 2014 9th St., NW
June Happy Hour
When: Thursday, January 5
Where: Elephant & Castle, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
May Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, May 12
Interested in connecting with others who are interested in #SciComm? Find your platform with ESEP, NSPN, and the SciCommers.
April Happy Hour
When: Thursday, April 21
Where: Prost, 919 5th St NW
January Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, January 20
This month we’re battling the cold and getting cozy with an ESEP/NSPN craft night. Bring us your half-knitted sweaters, your embroidery projects, your coloring books and pens! (And no worries if you’re not crafty, or if your hobbies don’t translate to a virtual happy hour. You’re welcome, too.) We’ll be discussing #SciPol goals for the year, and how to craft a balanced life at a time when so many of us are still stuck at home.
November Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, November 18
This month we’re teaming up with the Stem Advocacy Institute (SAi) to discuss the vast variety of ways people become involved with science policy and how to build the next generation’s SciPol workforce.
October Virtual Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, October 20
For October, we're celebrating spooky season by sharing our favorite haunted places in popular culture and discussing what ideas and challenges might still be haunting science and science policy.
August Virtual Happy Hour
When: Tuesday, August 10
In August, we'll be teaming up with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Suggestions for breakout room discussion will focus on science, democracy, and disinformation.
July 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, July 29
This month, we’re partnering with the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG). This month’s theme is Shaping the Future of Science Policy, which we’ll be exploring through breakout room questions and trivia!
June 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Friday, June 25
This month, we’re celebrating the end of NSPN's Professional Development Week and the 5th anniversary of @SciPolJobs on Twitter! Early-to-late career science policy professionals are all welcome to come ask and answer questions about finding jobs, share tips for applying and what you like to see in applications, and reminisce about your best and worst job stories.
May 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, May 20
This month, ESEP and NSPN are partnering with the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Stars! They’re just like us.
April 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, April 22
This month, ESEP and NSPN are partnering with the Ecological Society of America for an Earth Day-themed happy hour. BYO chest waders, rain gauges, and pH testers, and don’t forget to register at the link below!
March 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Monday, March 15
This month, ESEP and NSPN are partnering with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Minority Affairs Subcommittee. This month’s theme is cross-cultural communication, with icebreaker questions and discussion focused on effectively communicating with different groups of people.
2021 Annual Science Policy Shindig
When: February 10, 2021
Held in conjunction with the AAAS Annual Meeting every year, the Science Policy Shindig is an informal gathering of professionals, fellows, students and other individuals who share an interest in science policy. Join the ESEP Coalition and the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) right after the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships Science Policy Networking Mixer to keep the party going!
February 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: February 18, 2021
ESEP and NSPN are partnering with Boston University and MIT in DC for a happy hour with a February-appropriate theme: I ♥ Science. Come prepared with stories about how you fell in l-o-v-e with science and science policy. Was it Bill Nye? A charismatic high school teacher? A fateful trip to the dinosaur museum? We can’t wait to hear your stories.
January 2021 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Friday, January 8, 2021 🎉🍾
This month we'll look ahead to a new year, with breakout rooms focused on professional and personal goals.
November 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Monday, November 30, 2020
This month we'll be joined by the NPR Scicommers, a community of scientists and engineers that includes undergrads, graduate students, post docs and faculty interested in improving their science communication skills. Suggested topics for breakout rooms will focus on the intersections of science policy and communication.
October 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: 27 October 2020
What: Spooky Scary!
Resources: Check out our horror movie guide for Scaredy Cats, 90s Witches, and Final Girls here.
September 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
This month's only slightly masochistic theme is International Travel. If you have the technical capacity, we invite you to set your Zoom virtual background to a place you’d like to travel when it’s once again safe to do so. You can also bring a drink that reminds you of that place. (Icelandic Brennivín, anyone?)
August 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Saturday, August 29, 2020
Celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new academic year with ESEP and the National Science Policy Network! This month, the happy hour's theme will be Afrofuturism.
Resources: NSPN has compiled several examples of afrofuturism in popular media to serve as a starting point for our discussion.
July 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Friday, July 24, 2020
Join ESEP and the National Science Policy Network for our next virtual happy hour. Back by popular demand are our breakout rooms based on policy interest!
June 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2020
This month, ESEP's own Aaron Conrado (who used to be a bartender!) will be sharing tips and tricks with attendees on crafting the perfect quarantine cocktail or mocktail AND we will have pre-assigned breakout rooms based on policy interest!
May 2020 Virtual Happy Hour
When: Thursday, May 7, 2020, 5:30 - 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Our April virtual happy hour was a huge success! We hope that you will join ESEP & NSPN again in May (at a slightly different time) as we continue our virtual/quarantine happy hour series!
April 2020 Virtual Happy Hour with NSPN!
When: Thursday, April 2, 2020, 6:30 - 7:30 PM Eastern Time
Join the Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy Coalition (@ESEPCoalition) and the National Science Policy Network (@scipolnetwork) for a virtual happy hour! Bring your drinks and treats as we check-in and see how our science policy folks are faring and catch up on what's new.
February Events at the 2020 AAAS Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA:
2020 Science Policy Networking Mixer, hosted by the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships Program
When: Saturday, February 15, 2020, 7 - 8:30 PM
2020 ESEP Science Policy Shindig
When: Saturday, February 15, 2020, 8:30 - 10:30 PM (directly following the 2020 Science Policy Networking Mixer)
Location: Pike Pub Microbrewery Museum at the Pike Brewing Company, 1415 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
This year's Shindig is sponsored by ESEP and the National Science Policy Network, and co-hosted by Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally and Seattle Science Policy.
February Science Policy Happy Hour:
When: Thursday, February 6, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Local 16, 1602 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
January Science Policy Happy Hour:
When: Thursday, January 9, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Elephant & Castle, 900 19th Street, Washington, DC 20006