By Erika Ibarra-Garibay, EEB Graduate Student
In late February, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., as a FFAR Fellow for a week of professional development and leadership training. Going into this experience, I was curious yet uncertain about how science truly intersects with policy – especially regarding the Farm Bill and how research gets funded. I left feeling energized, motivated, and more confident about the role I can play in bridging the gap between research and policy.
Throughout the week, we engaged in transformative workshops on leadership and influence, explored how agricultural policy is shaped and funded, and heard from professionals in both public and private sectors. One of the most impactful sessions was the Influencer and Accountability Workshop, where I learned how to inspire change by aligning leadership practices with core values and leveraging social influence. This was invaluable as we prepared for our Capitol Hill meetings, where I discovered that building trust with policymakers is just as important as communicating science effectively.
The highlight of the week was our day on Capitol Hill, where we met with legislative offices to discuss the importance of agricultural research. It was eye-opening to realize that building trust and forming relationships are just as important as communicating the science itself. Policymakers are experts in their own field, working within a complex landscape, and rather than overwhelming them with data, the most impactful way to building a relationship is by offering myself as a resource – asking, “How can I help?”
This experience has given me invaluable skills that complement my scientific training and has opened my eyes to new career possibilities, including science communication and policy advocacy. I am grateful to both FFAR and my graduate department for providing opportunities to grow as a scientist, as a leader and as an advocate.