Advocating for Seismology
FROM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CHAIR LISA GRANT LUDWIG
Dear SSA Members: 
SSA advocates for earthquake science and seismology in Washington, DC. While Congress closed their doors to COVID, we kept the lines of communication open and continued to work with legislators and staff to address funding for earthquake programs in the federal government.
It’s important work, and I encourage you to participate.
The Government Relations Committee (GRC) meets several times each year to identify legislative goals and issues, guiding SSA’s government relations work. The Committee has expanded its structure to include opportunities for early-career and student members to participate (see below).
Currently, the GRC is revising SSA’s official position statements on such important issues as workforce development, earthquake and tsunami warning and more. Outreach and education of policymakers helps create better legislation, and whether virtually or in-person, SSA conducts briefings to help policymakers understand the science.
If you would like to know more about how you can advocate personally for seismology, there’s a handy 30-minute tutorial on SSA’s website to get you started. This Fall, SSA will be hosting a conversation via Zoom with Congressional staffers who will talk to you about how best to work with them. Stay tuned for how to register for it.
It’s an honor serving as chair of the GRC. I welcome your feedback anytime (write: policy@seismosoc.org).
Lisa Grant Ludwig
Chair, SSA Government Relations Committee
Get Involved
The SSA Government Relations Committee (GRC) is welcoming student and early-career
members to join its committee. If you would like to be considered for a two-year term, please complete the form below.
The GRC focuses on educating our members on policy issues that affect the science, developing resolutions or position statements on seismic matters and providing information on seismic issues to U.S. legislators and staff, including responding to invitations to provide testimony before congressional committees.
The Committee seeks diverse and committed members who are active in the seismological community and have an informed interest in politics and policy to share their experience and expertise.
Members are asked to participate in virtual calls as scheduled during the year and when
applicable, in person GRC meetings at the Annual Meeting for SSA. Members contribute to strategic development of government relations activities, production and revision of SSA position statements, and other critical activities for the benefit of SSA and its members.