The Science Investigations team at EWG does not work in a remote lab, isolated from the teams doing the decidedly unscientific work of policy recommendations and public communications. From the very start, they consider how their research will move through the real world and resonate with the people affected.
At EWG, a scientific investigation begins with listening sessions. The silos come down, and the two teams responsible for science and chemical research – the Science Investigations and the Healthy Living teams – meet with the teams responsible for digital communications, database development, press relations, government affairs and more. The idea for the next issue EWG will tackle may come from any source. This approach allows EWG scientists to work beyond the bounds of what is currently explored in the field of environmental research.
The first step is to think as big as possible and then narrow those creative, expansive, expensive ideas into something practical.
Here’s how it works: The Science Investigations team looks at what’s currently unregulated, and the Government Affairs team brings political and policy expertise. The Healthy Living team consults with both and decides what makes sense to tackle next. Communications works the media, Digital takes on interacting directly to the public, and they all rely on the stories developed by the data scientists.
All EWG teams are integrated into the science planning process, not because it makes people feel important but because it improves outcomes. When Investigations considers Government Affairs at the outset, actionable information is the result, which creates the only conditions under which real-world action can happen.
The innovation extends well beyond the meeting cadence at EWG. EWG’s funding is structured to allow EWG teams to work on the cutting edge of science. Because EWG doesn't rely on traditional grants that require studies to build closely on already published research, EWG can be much more creative and original. This approach means EWG scientists can seize an issue brought to them by non-scientists, like the experts who speak or work directly with the people most affected, or those who understand the political horizon and what might be immediately salient and able to effect policy changes.
Because the EWG ethos of inclusivity is reflected throughout its structure and process, EWG can tackle and move issues the rest of the scientific community has yet to identify or address.