Highlights of the 2025-2026 Academic year and Plans for the 2026-2027 Academic Year
By Tyler Morris, Michael Hamburger • May 15, 2026
Members of Concerned Scientists @ IU and Advocates for Science @ IU,
At the end of a busy academic year, we want to take a moment to reflect on a year of science advocacy, public forums, student writing, policy discussion, and community outreach. This year, we continued our work to strengthen the role of science, evidence-based decision-making, and public engagement in university, local, state, and federal policy in the face of unprecedented attacks on U.S. science. Here we offer a summary of our major activities from the past year, along with a few plans and priorities as we look toward summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 academic year.
Ongoing: CSIU/ASIU News Bulletin.
Every two weeks through the year, our ASIU team produced regular news bulletins for members. These included science policy updates, relevant local and national news, commentaries and op-eds, and opportunities for action. The bulletin also helped circulate ASIU Insider articles from our student members.
Ongoing: ASIU Student Engagement.
ASIU leaders tabled at the IU Student Involvement Fair and led its first callout meeting to introduce students to the organization and recruit new members. ASIU held regular bi-weekly meetings throughout the fall and spring semesters, including both serious policy discussions and lighter social events.
Ongoing: ASIU Insider Articles.
ASIU students contributed articles on science policy, misinformation, public health, federal funding cuts, and other related issues. These articles were published as standalone pieces on the ASIU website and shared through the CSIU/ASIU newsletter. Published articles this year include:
• Tyler Morris, “How Nutrition Myths and Politics Distract from Real Health”
• Abigail Stewart, “Why the ‘Autism-Vaccine’ Link Persists”
• Emma Broach, Luke Bromley, and Jordan Harris, “The Federal Budget for FY2026”
• Adela Krenz, “The 2025 Government Shutdown”
• Sky Angeles, “The Problem with U.S. Research”
• Tyler Morris, “How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Health Misinformation”
• Tyler Morris, “A Nutrition Science Student’s Take on the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans”
• Adela Krenz, “Why Elephant Research Matters”
• Tyler Morris, “Should Physicians Engage with Misinformation? Brief Reflections on a Conversation Between Three Physicians”
CSIU Town Hall on Science, Policy, and the Future of Research at IU (October 1).
We hosted a community forum focused on the state of scientific research at IU amid numerous attacks on science and research funding. The event featured IU faculty and student leaders and included discussion of federal and state science policy updates, impacts on research and students at IU, and ways to build stronger community connections among students, faculty, advocates, and the public.
Statement on Misleading Health Claims from Federal Leadership (November 3).
CSIU issued a statement focusing on the recent White House event claiming a link between acetaminophen use in pregnant women and autism. The statement emphasized the importance of careful, evidence-based public health communication, especially when inaccurate or misleading claims come from high-level federal leadership.
CSIU Forum, “What’s Happening in the Indiana Statehouse and What We Can Do About It” (November 5).
We hosted a public forum, featuring Senator Shelli Yoder and Representative Matt Pierce, focused on science, technology, health, and policy issues shaping Indiana, along with ways scientists, students, and community members can take action.
CSIU Forum on The Future of the Sciences at IU (December 3).
This forum focused on the state of sciences at IU, featuring a panel and discussion featuring IU faculty members Armin Moczek, Mark Messier, Stacie King, and graduate student Amelia Binau. The conversation addressed funding cuts, consolidation of majors, concerns from graduate students, impacts on international and immigrant students, and the importance of advocating for IU students and researchers.
Science Out Loud: Scouring the Savanah – Elephants and Aging (January 31).
ASIU initiated a new community science program, “Science Out Loud”, which was kicked off with a talk and Q&A with Dr. Danella Chusyd from the IU School of Public Health. The event featured a public talk, activity, and Q&A exploring how elephant biology can provide insights into human aging, cancer resistance, and resilience in long-lived mammals.
Gina McCarthy Lecture, “Advocating for the Environment as if Our Future Depended Upon It” (February 5).
CSIU and ASIU, together with the Environmental Law Society, hosted a conversation with Gina McCarthy, former EPA Administrator and the nation’s first White House National Climate Advisor. She was joined by Janet McCabe, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Distinguished Scholar at the IU McKinney School of Law, for a discussion on climate, environmental policy, and public advocacy.
Candidate Forum on Science, Technology, and the Environment (April 14).
CSIU, in collaboration with three other community organizations, hosted a candidate forum for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District. Candidates Floyd Taylor, Keil Roark, Brad Meyer, Tim Peck, and Jim Graham discussed issues including AI and data centers, climate change and energy, health policy, and federal research funding. ASIU student leaders moderated the forum.
ASIU Forum: “The Grid Will Go Green – Will You?” (April 29).
ASIU co-sponsored an event focused on electrification, practical climate action, and community education. The event included dinner, children’s activities, and practical tips for renters and homeowners interested in
going electric.
ASIU: IMPACT School Field Trip (May 4).
ASIU participated in an IMPACT school field trip/outreach activity as part of its broader science education and community engagement work. ASIU leaders guided 3-6th grade students through an environmental scavenger hunt on IU’s campus, educating them about the natural landscape and encouraging development.
CSIU Statement on the Dismissal of the National Science Board (May 7).
CSIU released a statement responding to the dismissal of all 22 current members of the National Science Board, the governing body of the National Science Foundation. The statement addressed concerns about federal science governance, political interference, scientific independence, and the long-term implications for U.S. research and innovation.
Ongoing: CSIU Congressional Meetings.
CSIU and ASIU leaders have conducted numerous
Congressional meetings over the course of the year, including meetings with staffers from the offices of Senator Todd Young and Congresswoman Erin Houchin, focusing on issues related to the federal science budget, plans to dissolve the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and dismissal of the National Science Board.
Looking Ahead: Summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 Academic Year.
Over the summer, ASIU leadership and the CSIU steering committee will begin preparing for the fall semester, including event planning, involvement fair preparation, social media outreach, and other recruitment ideas. For fall 2026, ASIU hopes to begin the academic year with strong recruitment efforts, including a fall kickoff meeting, continued student writing through the ASIU Insider series, and collaboration with CSIU on at least one major public forum. Ideas under discussion include forums on health policy and artificial intelligence.
Additional ideas include continuing the Science Out Loud series, exploring collaborations with local science groups and organizations (e.g., WonderLab), co-sponsoring community events, developing more student-led outreach opportunities, and planning meetings with local and state policymakers. We welcome ideas from members for future events and advocacy actions.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to CSIU and ASIU this year. Our work and success depend on the time, energy, expertise, and commitment of our team of faculty, staff, students, and community members who believe that science should inform public policy. We look forward to continuing this important work together in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Michael Hamburger & Tyler Morris
On behalf of the CSIU Steering Committee and ASIU Leadership Team
Tyler Morris is a Nutrition Science student on the pre-med track at Indiana University–Bloomington, where he is also minoring in Chemistry and serving as president of the School of Public Health–Bloomington Honors Program. His academic and professional interests include how health misinformation spreads, the psychology behind why people believe it, and strategies to strengthen critical thinking and media literacy. He plans to pursue a career in medicine and research while remaining actively engaged in science advocacy and communication.
Emeritus Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at IU Bloomington, specializes in seismotectonics, natural hazards, and geodetic research. A former Jefferson Science Fellow, he advises CSIU and Advocates for Science @ IU, and champions science education through IU’s EfEC and Diplomacy Lab outreach programs.