Educating versus lobbying: Understanding the difference to advocate for your research

Over the past several months, several Life Span Institute researchers have reached out for guidance on advocating for their research at the federal level. Researchers and staff are among the best people to convey the impact of research, but it’s important to understand the distinction between educating elected representatives as a university staff member, versus reaching out as a private citizen to lobby or advocate about research that’s important to you. 

For more information, we checked with Kyle Christian, associate vice chancellor for federal relations. In his role working on behalf of the University of Kansas in Washington, D.C., he has offered perspective during recent KU town halls and responded to questions from LSI researchers. 

Generally, a staff member can educate elected representatives, and a private citizen can advocate on an issue, but these are distinct, separate roles that cannot be pursued simultaneously in any interaction with policymakers.  

Visiting with congressional and executive branch officials on behalf of professional associations that represent nursing, biology, or education, for example, is not lobbying. In this context, a researcher is educating about their field. They may offer information about the impact of prior investment in research. Educating policymakers may happen within your official capacity and include reference to your university role. 

However, if you want to reach out to policymakers and federal staff to advocate for research support, you must pursue this as a private citizen. You can advocate as long as you do not use your university email account, nor any state equipment or university stationery. You should make it clear that you are advocating as a private citizen, and not conveying official KU positions or policies for or on behalf of KU. 

You also can review KU guidance on engaging with elected officials. If you have specific questions about what is permissible, you can contact Kyle directly at kylechristian@ku.edu 

We also have included below some tips and examples adapted from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, which supports research at the Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) within the Life Span Institute.  

Educating 
Using your university credentials and role, you can: 

• Provide education on the impact of current or proposed policies and laws  
• Share research and publications  
• Develop and share policy analysis or findings  
• Respond to information requests from policymakers  

Advocating  

As a private citizen, using your personal email account, address and equipment, you can: 

• Advocate for a specific policy or law to be passed or defeated 
• Encourage support for your field or area of research 
• Support specific political candidates or political parties  
• Participate in electoral or campaign organizing  

AUCD offers the following examples: 

Congress is considering legislation that impacts your program.  

As an employee, from your official e-mail or phone, you can share how the program impacts you, how it impacts the community you serve, what outcomes are important, what the needs are, etc.  

As a private citizen, from your personal e-mail or phone, you can ask your member(s) of Congress to sponsor the legislation, make changes to it, or to vote for it. You also can participate in grassroots lobby by asking other people in your district to make the same ask.   

A presidential candidate is visiting your community. You want to bring attention to policies that affect your area of research.  

As an employee, you can share facts, data, and information about the issues, such as your knowledge about environmental, social and health policies. 

As a private citizen, you can ask them to support policies, or defeat policies that will negatively impact a community your research serves, such as K-12 students. 

Your institution will be affected by legislation that Congress is considering.   

As an employee, you can share a summary of your research, its key findings, what the impact of the legislation will be and answer questions.  

As a private citizen, you can explain why the research supports a position for or against a proposed piece of legislation, and suggest changes based on your research.