POLICY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES AT SPSSI

Apply Now: SPSSI's James Marshall Public Policy Fellowship - Applications Due 2/1/18
The Marshall Fellow spends one year in Washington (September 1, 2018 - August 31, 2019) learning about the policymaking process firsthand through a congressional office placement. This opportunity is open to postdoctoral scientists from any discipline relevant to the psychological study of social issues, in addition to current doctoral students who will obtain a PhD or PsyD before the start of the fellowship. 

Watch Now: Congressional Briefing on Human Trafficking Co-sponsored by SPSSI
The briefing, entitled "Preventing Human Trafficking: Research on How to Stop Trafficking Before It Starts"—and moderated by SPSSI member Jennifer Woolard of Georgetown University—is now available on SPSSI's YouTube channel. The event took place on November 2, 2017.

SPSSI Marks Human Rights Day
On December 10, 2017, SPSSI marked Human Rights Day by adding a new section to its website on SPSSI's work regarding human rights issues, including its activities as a member of the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Science and Human Rights Coalition. The webpage includes links to relevant position statements, open letters, and events, identifies useful readings, and provides information on the work of the Coalition. 

From SPSSI's Blog: SPSSI Intern Amber Prince Discusses The Dream Act of 2017
To mark the culmination of a semester spent interning at SPSSI, George Washington University undergraduate student Amber Prince blogged about the need to address the precarious situation of Dreamers, especially as the Obama Administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy sunsets. 

NEWS IN U.S. POLICY 

Happening in Congress:

• Congress Sends Major Tax Overhaul to President, President Signs
• House Committee Approves Bill to Amend Higher Education Act
• First Gun-Related Bill Passed Since Vegas and Texas Massacres: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
• House and Senate Release Bipartisan Evidence-Based Policymaking Bill
• Weekend Voting Act Would Move Elections from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday 
• House Condemns Burma’s Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya
• College For All Act Would Aim to Eliminate Tuition for Families Making Under $125,000
• Committee Advances Bill to Cut Off Human Traffickers’ Access to Banking System
• In Response to Open Letter, House Homeland Panel Weighs Hearings on Sexual Harassment
• Bill would Prevent Lawmakers' Use of Taxpayer Dollars to Pay off Sexual Harassment Accusers
• Passed Legislation Requires Sexual Harassment Training for Congresspeople and Staffs

Happening in the Administration:

• United States Ends Participation in the UN Global Compact on Migration
• Newly Released: Final Report of the President’s Opioid Commission
• Newly Released: Draft Fourth National Climate Assessment (see below for opportunity to submit a public comment)

Happening in the Courts:

• Justices Sharply Divided in Gay Rights Case
• Justices Return Dispute Over DACA Documents to Lower Courts

OPPORTUNITIES AND NEWS IN INTERNATIONAL POLICY

Opportunity: Fellowships for Threatened Scholars, IIE-Scholar Rescue Fund - Applications Due 1/15/18

Opportunity: Scholars at Risk Network Calls for Help Regarding “Peace Petition” Scholars Being Tried in Turkey

Opportunity: Course in Italy on Health Systems Through Crisis and Recovery - Applications Due 2/20/18

UN Launches Campaign to Recognize Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Human Rights Watch Calls on China to End Conversion Therapy in Medical Settings

In the U.K., Concerns Raised Over Use of Data and Algorithms To Identify Criminal Offenders

Newly Updated: Human Rights Principles for the Treatment of LGBTI People 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS OF INTEREST

Apply to become an APA Congressional or Executive Branch Fellow - Applications Due 1/5/18

Register Now: Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) Science Policy Conference in Washington - 4/30/18 - 5/1/18 - Contact SPSSI Policy Director for SPSSI-Member Discount Code

Register Now: Preparing People for Climate Change in California Conference - 1/24/18 - 1/25/18

Request for Public Comment: Draft Fourth National Climate Assessment - Comments Due 1/31/18

NIH Call for Proposals: Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children - Proposals May Be Submitted on or After 1/17/18

Free Online NIH Training: Good Clinical Practice in Social and Behavioral Research

Job Announcement: Executive Director, Human Rights Center of the University of Dayton

Job Announcements: NSF Seeks to Fill Two Top Social Science Posts in SBE Directorate

Job Announcement: NSF Seeks New Assistant Director for EHR Directorate

READINGS AND RESOURCES

USA Today: APA President Calls on Congress to Let Dreamers Remain in the United States

Why Social Science? Because Social Science Helps Us Enhance Diversity in the Interest of Positive Societal Outcomes

The Guardian (U.S. Edition): A Law that Would Segregate Disabled People? We Must All Fight to Stop it

Associated Press: U.S. Nobel Laureate Fears U.S. Politics Could Undermine Science

Science Magazine: Harassment in Science is Real 

Science Magazine: NIH Tweaks Plan to Award More Grants to Younger Researchers

Newly Released: ecoAmerica's Let’s Lead On Climate Report

Newly Released: Missed Opportunities, A Report of the National Summit on Youth Homelessness

Newly Released Report by the Sentencing Project: Opioids: Treating an Illness, Ending a War

Newly Released: Recommendations Report from the 2017 American Climate Leadership Summit

Newly Released: National Academies Report on Proactive Policing: Effects on Crime and Communities

Watch Now: Lecture at the National Academies on Child Support in the Age of Complex Families