March for Science rallies expected to draw thousands, including photonics advocates

April 18, 2017

On Saturday, April 22, scientists and advocates will hold marches in over 500 cities in support of scientific research.

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On Saturday, April 22, scientists and science advocates will hold marches in over 500 cities around the world in support of scientific research, including photonics. Hundreds of science organizations, including The Optical Society (OSA) and American Physical Society (APS), are supporting the march.

The Washington DC march takes place on Earth Day at the National Mall. March organizers partnered with the Earth Day Network because it had large scale event planning experience as well as a permit for the Mall. The political nature of the march has caused some scientists and scientific organizations to decline overt endorsement.

“OSA’s goal for the March for Science is to use this unique opportunity to connect with the public on the importance of science and the importance of evidence-based research and collaboration,” said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of OSA. “It’ll be a wonderful celebration of the scientists and engineers that drive the discoveries we benefit from today, plus inspire the next generation with the exciting possibilities this field offers.”

Information on how OSA members and and the photonics community--including those outside of Washington DC--can get involved is available here:
http://www.osa.org/en-us/get_involved/public_policy/march_for_science_2017/
#sciencemarch

The APS Council Steering Committee, on behalf of the Council of Representatives, unanimously voted to endorse the march as well. According to its statement, "The March for Science champions robustly funded and publicly communicated science as a pillar of human freedom and prosperity. We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policy makers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.”

For more on how APS member can get involved:
https://www.aps.org/about/marchforscience.cfm

The March for Science website is here:
https://www.marchforscience.com/
#MarchForScience

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.