Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Become a Scientist-Citizen
To kick off 2026 on a positive tone, I want to express my continued gratitude for the many roles our members play in advancing our understanding of aging, supporting the next generation of researchers, and improving our lives as we age.
At GSA’s recent Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, I asked our opening session audience to take on one more role: that of scientist-citizens. (It’s a play on the term citizen scientists, who are members of the public that contribute to scientific research.) I envision scientist-citizens as scholars, researchers, clinicians, and educators committed to proactive personal and public engagement that improves understanding of science and policies that support all of us as we age.
The scientist-citizens concept was inspired by the nation-shaping history that unfolded in Boston, home to the intellectual and inspirational underpinning of the American Revolution. Ordinary citizens were called upon in unexpected ways, such as becoming citizen-soldiers, to defend liberty. These individuals took on much larger roles than they ever imagined and set our country on a journey of "pursuing a more perfect union" that has lasted almost 250 years.
In 2026, we find ourselves in a disruptive environment in which some officials are devaluing the importance of expertise, undermining science, weakening public health, and sanctioning the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
I ask you to join GSA in standing up for expertise and science, much like concerned citizens answered the call in the 1770s. As career researchers, clinicians, educators, and professionals, you have the exact skills needed to help defend the integrity and importance of science and ensure that the next generation of scholars is prepared to continue your work.
Your scientific expertise can educate family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and state and federal elected officials to encourage all to stand up for scientific integrity, support robust funding for science, and protect our long-term health and well-being.
Who are good role models of scientist-citizens? I think of Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, Robert Butler, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Francis Collins, Bill Nye, and our GSA 2025 keynote speaker, Leana Wen.
To support you in cultivating your scientist-citizen skills, GSA has produced a four-part webinar series titled “Telling Your Story: Translating Your Work to Reach New Audiences and Advance Science.” And we recently took on a leadership role in supporting the new Americans for Medical Research campaign, which provides training on how to be an advocate. GSA’s own website includes a wealth of additional advocacy tools, such as scripts to call or write your representative or senator’s Washington, DC, or local offices. And we provide the Federal Policy Pulse newsletter to your inboxes each Monday.
Finally, you’re invited to join us for GSA Capitol Hill Advocacy Day 2026 in Washington, DC, on March 10 and 11. We plan to repeat the success of our 2025 event, where GSA trained 77 members to be scientist-citizens and conduct impactful visits with their members of congress.
I invite each of you to take on the mantle of scientist-citizen and make a difference at this critical time in the history of the United States. Exercise your advocacy skills and stand up for science and democracy.