Last summer, SSI conducted an online survey of our members. Thank you to everyone who took time to provide us with valuable information about the network and your opinion about it. The goal of the 2005 survey was to provide our members with an opportunity to give feedback on their satisfaction level and to inform us of ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the network. The survey aimed to address four main areas: member satisfaction, member participation, future activities and network improvements, and your opinion about the role of scientists in public policy.

The data was collected between July 12 and September 14, 2005. In total 1,275 SSI participants responded to the survey, a response rate of 35 percent. A shorter survey, including eight questions selected from the long questionnaire, was conducted with a subset of members in order to measure the non-response error due to people who did not respond to the questionnaire.  Of the 125 SSI members who received the non-responder survey, 89 responded (70 percent). In addition over 150 SSI members completed at least part of the full survey and many others submitted written comments.

Below is a summary of the results. To view the full survey questions and responses, click here

Member Satisfaction
We were gratified to find that over 80 percent of SSI members view the network as a valuable source of information. In addition, 97 percent of members said the quality of science was good, very good, or excellent. Encouraged by this strong response, we will continue to strive for accurate, useful, and complete information in all our communications with SSI. 

The vast majority (98 percent) of members read at least some of our emails over the past year and nearly half (42 percent) read a significant number of emails. SSI members submitted comments in this section, notably requesting more reports back on previous action alerts.

Member Participation
A significant percentage (67 percent) of SSI members view the network as an important vehicle for their voices to be heard in media and policy settings. SSI members are very active and take a wide range of actions, both in response to our alerts and on their own. A majority of survey responders said they have taken between one and six actions over the past year. Extrapolating this figure out across the network, SSI scientists took a combined total of 8,000–10,000 actions!

SSI members participate in a wide array of actions, such as joining a scientists’ sign-on statement (60 percent), contacting a policy maker or decision maker (53 percent), distributing information to friends and colleagues (51 percent), attending a public meeting (23 percent), and giving a presentation (18 percent).  SSI staff will continue to explore opportunities for scientists’ voices to be heard and offer a variety of action ideas.  

The main barrier to taking action continues to be time constraints (73 percent). The other two most common reasons were disinterest in the topic (22 percent) and uncertainty that the suggested action would be effective (20 percent). SSI staff is working on ways to better address the latter issue, using techniques such as more frequent reports back on action results and information about research on the effectiveness of communications with Congress.

From the survey, it’s very clear that by communicating with the public through the media or directly to policy makers, SSI members have been improving scientific literacy and providing information for solid decision making on climate and biodiversity issues.

Future Activities and Network Improvements
Members expressed a strong interest in engaging in future SSI activities to reach the public and elected officials through the media, such as writing a letter-to-the-editor (48 percent); becoming a resource for a local reporter (35 percent); writing an op-ed (30 percent); and being interviewed for radio (24 percent) or television (18 percent). In addition, SSI members would like to participate in skills-building workshops, either by phone or in-person, to improve media and advocacy skills. This information will be very helpful as SSI staff watch for opportunities for scientists to engage in policy or education and as we plan for future activities. SSI members expressed interest in receiving regular reports back on previous actions (82 percent). We will begin to provide these reports back on a regular basis.

SSI members also suggested a number of network improvements they would like to see. Based on your suggestions, some improvements are already underway. For example, the SSI network has been moved over to a new system that makes it easier to keep information up-to-date and ensure accurate and timely delivery of emails. In addition, the transfer has allowed us to move to HTML format, providing a simpler yet more attractive email structure.  SSI is also in the process of updating our webpages to better serve as a resource to our members.

A sizeable number of you indicated interest in interacting with other SSI members. SSI staff are exploring web-based options that might facilitate such interaction, which might be used to create a sense of community, to work with others to take action, to share presentation materials, or to find potential research collaborators.

Scientists and Public Policy
Scientists play a key role in educating and influencing policy and decision makers. However, the overlap of science and policy can be difficult to navigate. SSI works hard to ensure your scientific credibility remains strong and independent while usefully informing public policy. We asked SSI members their view of the role scientists should play when communicating with policy makers. A large majority (77 percent) believe their role as a scientist is to discuss the state of the science, while 54 percent said it is to advocate for specific policy and 47 percent said it is to urge general legislative action.

It is clear that SSI members consider discussing the state of climate or biodiversity science with policy makers as their primary role. We will continue to provide venues through which scientists can talk about their areas of expertise; and, when appropriate, we will offer opportunities for scientists to become informed on and urge general or specific legislation.

Survey Questions and Responses

SECTION 1: Assessment of participants satisfaction SSI

Question and Response: #1
In the last year, I read at least some of the SSI emails that I received from UCS.
Yes: 97.5%
No: 2.5%

Question and Response: #2
During the last year, the SSI network has been a valuable source of information for me. I:
Strongly agree: 31%
Agree: 50.8%
Neither agree nor disagree: 13.5%
Disagree: 4.2%
Strongly disagree: 0.1%

Question and Response: #3
During the last year, SSI ALERTS were an important vehicle for my voice to be heard in the media and/or in policy settings. I:
Strongly agree: 19%
Agree: 45.1%
Neither agree nor disagree: 17.9%
Disagree: 16.4%
Strongly disagree: 1.2%

Question and Response: #4
During the last year, the number and frequency of SSI emails were:
Too few: 3.3%
About right: 89.1%
Too many: 7.5%

Question and Response: #5
During the last year, the overall quality of the scientific information in SSI emails was:
Excellent: 41.4%
Very Good: 38.9%
Good: 16.3%
Fair: 2.9%
Poor: 0.0%

Question and Response: #6
I have other comments on the SSI emails that I received during the last year.
Yes: 24%
No: 76%

SECTION 2: Assessment of participation in SSI

Question and Response: #7
During the last year, in response to a SSI ALERT, I have:
Contacted a policy maker or decision maker: 53%
Met with a policy maker or decision maker: 6%
Written a letter-to-the-editor:  17%
Given a presentation to a local community, professional, or religious group: 17.9%
Joined a scientists’ sign-on statement: 60%
Helped distribute information to friends, colleagues, internet groups, etc.: 51%
Attended a public meeting: 23%
Provided comment during a regulatory comment period: 16%
None: 10%
Other, Please Specify [  ] 8%

Question and Response: #8
During the last year, my best estimate of the number of actions I have taken in response to SSI ALERTS is:
0 actions: 24.1%
1 – 3 actions: 44.1%
4 – 6 actions: 20.2%
7 – 9 actions: 6.2%
More than 10 actions: 5.1%

Question and Response: #9
During the last year, when I did not respond to an alert, it was most often because:
I did not have enough time to take the action: 73%
The suggested action did not interest me: 22.4%
I did not think my action would have an impact: 20.5%
I did not have enough information on the topic: 19.8%
I did not agree with UCS’s stated position on the issue: 4.5%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 17.5%

Question and Response: #10
During the last year, I participated in ways other than responding to the alerts, such as:
Sharing SSI emails with colleagues: 59.6%
Sharing articles and/or information with UCS staff: 5.7%
Using SSI information in personally motivated actions: 38.6%
Using SSI resources in an academic setting: 29.6%
None: 19.7%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 4%

Question and Response: #11
During the last year, my best estimate for the percentage of SSI emails I received that I read is:
0-25 percent: 17.1%
26-50 percent: 25.9%
51-75 percent: 28.1%
75-100 percent: 28.2%

Question and Response: #12 (% is of “no” responders to Q1)
During the last year, I did not read any SSI emails because:
The topics did not interest me: 1%
I did not think my action would have an impact: 14%
I did not have enough time: 64%
I did not agree with UCS’s stated position on the SSI issues: 0%
Other, Please Specify [ ] 0%

Question and Response: #13
During the last year, I have visited the SSI pages of UCS’s web site:
Yes: 56%
No: 44%

Question and Response: #14
I have other comments about my participation on the SSI network this past year.
Yes: 13%
No: 87%
If Yes, Please Specify [  ]

SECTION 3: Assessment of participants interest in future activity and network improvements

Question and Response: #15
The following skills-building activities are all possible options for next year's SSI work. Of these activities, I am most interested to:
Participate in a media skills workshop (by conference call): 20%
Participate in an advocacy skills workshop (by conference call): 19%
Participate in an issue briefing (by conference call): 24%
Host UCS on my campus for an advocacy & media skills building session: 9%
Attend a day-long advocacy and media skills building session (in person): 22%
None: 47%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 8%

Question and Response: #16
In the next year, of the following type of MEDIA actions, I would be interested to:
Meet with an editorial writer or editorial board: 19%
Write for a local, regional, or campus magazine or newsletter: 28%
Write a letter-to-the-editor: 48%
Write an op-ed: 30%
Establish myself as a resource on my area of expertise for a reporter: 35%
Be interviewed for radio: 24%
Be interviewed for television: 18%
None: 24%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 7%

Question and Response: #17
In the next year, of the following type of PUBLIC EDUCATION actions, I would be interested to:
Distribute information to friends, colleagues, public groups, etc.: 64%
Brief environmental activists and volunteers about the issues: 33%
Give a presentation to a local community, professional, or religious groups: 38%
Use SSI materials in an academic setting: 39%
None: 15%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 5%

Question and Response: #18
In the next year, of the following type of POLICY actions, I would be interested to:
Write to policy makers and/or decision makers: 60%
Meet with policy makers and/or decision makers: 31%
Attend a “town-hall” style meeting with my local policy maker(s): 34%
Participate in an UCS-organized policy maker education event: 29%
Share information with a local, state, or federal government agency: 45%
Post information on email list or blog: 26%
None: 13%
Other, Please Specify [  ]: 3%

Question and Response: #19
SSI could increase its work on any of our current areas of focus or may take on an additional area of focus on which UCS already works. I think SSI should engage more on: (PLEASE MARK ONE CHOICE.)
Climate Change: 17%
Invasive Species: 6%
Deforestation & Endangered Species: 6%
Renewable Energy: 18%
Clean Vehicles: 4%
Sustainable Agriculture: 7%
Political Interference in Science: 25%
Global Security: 3%
No opinion: 14%

Question and Response: #20
SSI is considering adding a web-based mechanism for SSI members to interact with each other. I am interested in interacting with other members of SSI.
Yes: 49%
No: 15%
No opinion: 36%

Question and Response: #21 (% is of “yes” responders to Q20)
What most interests me about being able to interact with other SSI members is:
Finding potential research collaborators: 29%
Identifying people that I can work with to take action: 55%
Providing me with a sense of community: 64%
Sharing presentation materials with colleagues: 43%
Other, Please Specify []: 9%

Question and Response: #22
The following options are all possible SSI web improvements in the next year. Of these options, I am interested in:
Tips on how to engage with policy makers, the media, and the public: 48%
Talking points for or template letters to policy makers: 49%
Materials for presentations: 56%
Records of past SSI actions I have taken: 13%
An online “action center” where I can send prepared, but editable, emails in response to SSI alerts: 43%
A blog where I can find policy and science updates: 34%
None: 8%
Other, Please Specify []: 3%

Question and Response: #23
SSI is considering moving to HTML based emails. I am interested in receiving HTML based SSI emails:
Yes: 40%
No: 17%
No opinion: 43%

Question and Response: #24
SSI would like to create a more regular system to provide members with updates on the result of past actions. I would like to receive this information:
Within a week of the action deadline: 20%
Once a month: 44%
Every three months: 18%
No opinion: 14%
I don’t want to receive this information: 2%
Other, Please Specify []: 2%

Question and Response: #25 (% is of “yes” responders to Q24)
I would most prefer to receive updates on past actions by:
Email: 79%
Newsletter: 7%
Web page: 15%
Other, Please Specify []: 1%

Question and Response: #26
I have other comments about the future activity of or improvements to the SSI network.
Yes: 12%
No: 88%

SECTION 4: SCIENTISTS AND PUBLIC POLICY

Question and Response: #27
As a scientist, when communicating with policy makers I feel my role should be to:
Discuss the state of the science: 77%
Urge general legislative action: 47%
Advocate for specific legislation: 54%
No opinion: 7%
Other, Please Specify []: 7%

Question and Response: #28
In my experience, some of my science colleagues do not participate in networks such as SSI because:
Distrust of advocacy organizations: 36%
Discomfort with public policy: 42%
Lack of time for such activities: 65%
Lack of peer support for such activities: 37%
No opinion: 19%
Other, Please Specify []: 9%

Question and Response: #29
If I received materials about SSI, I would be willing to pass them along to my scientific colleagues.
Yes: 74%
No: 7%
No opinion: 20%

Question and Response: #30
I have additional comments or suggestions about any aspect of the SSI network.
Yes: 8%
No: 92%