Politics Aside, Policy Forward Initiative

Politics Aside, Policy Forward is a nonpartisan initiative designed to foster meaningful dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public on critical science and technology issues.

Through discussions, workshops, and networking events, Politics Aside creates a space where science and policy intersect - free from political partisanship - to advance science-informed policymaking.

Upcoming Regional In-Person Events

  • Boston, Massachusetts

    Your Next Doctor Might Be an Algorithm: Should You Be Worried?
    AI, Innovation and Healthcare

    Thursday, August 7, 2025
    4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
    Boston University
    Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

    RSVP

  • Washington, D.C.

    Is It Time To Keep, Tweak, or Reboot Government?
    An interactive session to reimagine public systems and build what works.

    Thursday, September 18, 2025
    9 am - 5 pm
    Federation of American Scientists Headquarters, Washington DC

    Apply

Politics Aside Civic Science Fellows

Through Politics Aside Civic Fellows, we invest in the next generation of leaders who bring science and policy together to serve their communities. By creating spaces where scientists, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and the public can engage in meaningful, nonpartisan dialogue, Fellows help transform knowledge into action.

Civic science drives this work, it strengthens public trust in science and equips communities to tackle their most pressing challenges. By valuing diverse perspectives and lived experiences, we foster collaboration and conversation that doesn’t just generate ideas, but turns them into solutions that create lasting, positive change for everyone.

Dr. Mickey Rogers
Linus Pauling Research Fellow
Pacific Northwest National Lab
Politics Aside - Seattle, WA

Sai Sankeerth Madakasira, MD
Clinical Research Candidate (MSCR)
Boston University
Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Politics Aside - Boston, MA

Mia Klopfenstein
Doctoral Candidate, Chemistry
New York University
Politics Aside - New York

Erin Cullinane
PhD Student, Computational Biomedicine
Boston University
Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Politics Aside - Boston, MA

Arielle N’Diaye
Doctoral Candidate, Health
University of South Carolina
Politics Aside - New York

Sean Liner
Bio-marine Fuel Researcher
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Politics Aside - Atlanta, GA

2025 Sponsors

Past Events

May 3, 2025 • Rainier Club in Seattle, WA

Politics Aside: Policy Forward at the 2025 NSPN Symposium

We're excited to integrate Politics Aside into the 2025 NSPN Symposium. This Politics Aside event took a nonpartisan look at the evolving landscape of AI policy in recent years. The Symposium also showcased poster and oral presentations, hands-on skill-building activities, and engaging policy discussions with our distinguished guest, Washington State Senator Vandana Slatter and Representative Debra Lekanoff.

May 16, 2025 • 5 pm - 8:30pm • Rosenthal Pavilion at NYU

From Underground to Mainstream:
The Changing Landscape of Psychedelic Policy

This Politics Aside event will discuss, from a nonpartisan perspective, the changing landscape of psychedelic drugs in recent years, including its use in medicinal and mental health therapies, legal & policy perspectives, and ethical considerations. This is your chance to tell elected officials how you really feel. This rare nonpartisan event at NYU brings together researchers, policymakers, and students to discuss psychedelics’ journey from counterculture to clinic. Don't miss this chance to engage in a thought-provoking conversation at the intersection of science, policy, and public opinion!

Speakers:

  • NY Senator Nathalia Fernandez, 34th Senate District of New York

  • Allison M. Hoots, Esq , Founder & Principal, Hoots Law Practice, Founder, Psychedelic Bar Association

  • Michael P. Gentile, MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist, Wyckoff Wellness Center

  • Amy Lehrner, PhD , Assist. Professor, Psychiatry & Associate Director, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

  • Brett Waters, Esq, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Reason for Hope