McClintock Letters Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I sign up to write a McClintock Letter and not just do it without signing up?

We cannot measure the impact of this initiative without a record of McClintock Letter writers. This work cannot end with this initiative, and only through an accurate measure of its impact can we provide accurate information and realistic expectations to others who will lead public-facing science communication initiatives after us. The long-term impact of the McClintock Letters—their ability to inspire research institutions to include public-facing sci-comm in their standard operation, for example—is contingent on this data.

What is the impact of an op-ed or letter to the editor?

Op-eds and letters to the editor can be published quickly and reach a wide audience, and they are often monitored by elected officials.

How do I ask an editor to publish my letter?

(Answer from our partners at Science Homecoming.) We recommend writing to editors to suggest an opinion piece, rather than only sending in a letter to the editor. Opinion pieces have more reach and prominence in the paper, and sometimes contacting the editor will lead them to cover the story in news. Example emails are here.  When contacting editors we recommend, (1) making a local connection, (2) highlighting the recent/newsworthy aspects of what’s happening recently, and (3) arguing that you have a strong, original perspective which isn’t otherwise being shared.

How long does it take for a letter to get published?

It varies. Letters to the editor can be published very quickly, often in 1-3 days. Sometimes, editors may be overwhelmed, and it may take longer, perhaps 1-2 weeks. Op-eds in general can take longer to publish than letters to the editor, but the exact timing varies a lot by publication and topic. We strongly encourage you to write and submit your letters even if they are not published before the June 16 target publication date. Your voice will continue to have an impact, regardless of when your letter comes out.

How long should these articles be?

Generally around 750 words is more than enough, but some guidance says between 500-1000 words. Individual newspapers can have different requirements/limitations, so double check any guidance supplied for op-eds / letters to the editor by the newspaper you intend to submit to. It is important to convey your research and its context in accessible terms.

Do I have to publish in the town I grew up in?

The aim of this movement is to increase public awareness of the incredible research that you and your peers do and how it currently does or will in the future benefit people. Publishing pieces in local newspapers will increase our ability to reach the majority of Americans who don’t interact with researchers on a daily basis and make this initiative more impactful. That being said, some people do not have “hometowns” per se. It’s okay to choose another city or area to which you have a meaningful connection, or an identity-based publication! It’s most important to write to an audience to whom you have personal ties and to make those clear in your piece.

I’m an international student; how can I participate in this initiative?

Even if you did not grow up in a city or town in the United States, perhaps you have lived elsewhere here. Writing it for the town where you did your undergrad, or maybe where you see yourself settling down is perfectly fine. Just be sure to make a personal connection with the place. Or, other writers have decided to share with outlets that align with parts of their identity, such as a regional Jewish paper or a queer outlet in their city. Additionally, spreading the word about this initiative via BlueSky, NextDoor, or any other social media is helpful!

I’m not a graduate student or affiliated with an academic institution, should I still write a McClintock Letter?

Yes! We need as many voices as possible speaking for science right now, we invite all scientists to contribute to this initiative.

I’m an industry scientist, or a grad student on fellowship, not directly federally funded. How can I contribute while maintaining the emphasis on the importance of federal funding to science?

In your PhD training, were you funded by federal grants? Did you get an NSF GRFP or other federally funded fellowship? Those were investments that the public made into you becoming the talented researcher you are today. Additionally, you can mention the importance of foundational or basic science upon which your current work is based.

What kind of political messaging should I include?

By publishing your piece, you are informing the public of what is at stake if current attacks on science continue unchecked. Our situation as federally funded scientists is inherently political, but our goal is not to polarize our audience. It is important that we uphold the ethical standard that scientific research should not have partisan ties, because it benefits the well-being of all people, regardless of politics. Further, this idea was born of empathy; under no circumstances should we be chastising others or talking down on a particular view. We acknowledge the shortcomings of the scientific community with regard to making our research accessible to the public. We want to give the broader community a chance to hear about what’s actually going on in the research world from someone with personal ties to them. Curiosity is innately human, as is collective care for our communities. By speaking about the fascinating research you are conducting and its impacts, you will likely appeal to many folks.

How do I make my writing impactful for a diverse audience?

We encourage people to describe both their personal scientific journeys and the impacts of the potential cuts to science funding. In opinion writing, it is often effective to interweave a personal connection to a topic with a larger issue like science funding.

Should I mention the McClintock Letters initiative in my piece and/or my pitch? 

This is up to you! You are more than welcome to include it in your piece, if you feel that being part of a pro-science initiative will endear readers or serve the main message of your op-ed. Including it in your pitch may help encourage the local newspaper editor to publish close to June 16th. An alternative is mentioning Barbara McClintock and how her story is connected to your piece as a reason for publishing on her birthday.

When will I hear back from editor@sciencehomecoming.com for piece editing?

While we don’t have a specific timeframe, the wonderful team behind SciHoCo, and 500 Women Scientists and other individuals who have volunteered to help, will return pieces as quickly as they can. The first participant to inform us they sent their piece for editing said they got it back the next day, she said, “They edited things to preserve the core message but make it clearer. For example, I had 2 examples of how policies are negatively impacting my field, and they removed one. This gave me space to focus on my theme, why we care, and what we can do.” Another participant mentioned that they helped her by reorganizing the letter a little bit to give her a clear hook and clarify her message.

Is it okay to write my McClintock Letter in a language besides English?

Of course! We have participants who have said that they want to write to their local language-specific paper, and that is a great idea. Please do!

I do basic research on a niche topic. How can I best convey the importance of what I do?

One key missing piece from the general understanding of scientific research is that basic work fuels applied work. There is a need for federally funded basic research to increase overall knowledge, because industry largely won’t support work that is not immediately profitable. Taxpayers are funding work that is to be shared (for the public good), leading to better outcomes, as many institutions can benefit from that knowledge, whereas industry research can be contained in one place, and therefore slow overall advancement. For scientific research driven primarily by curiosity, you can also frame the importance of science through appeals to wonder. We encourage you to think broadly and creatively about your niche work to showcase it as a part of a bigger picture, in plain and accessible terms.

Another possible thing to mention could be the Golden Goose Awards. These are instances of basic, sometimes seemingly bizarre, research that has led to important breakthroughs down the line.

Here’s a helpful resource you can use.

 

 

Adapted in part from the Science Homecoming website FAQ.