Events
Emerging tech hackathon
April 17, 2026
8:30 am to 4:00 pm EDT
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
The Emerging Tech Hackathon, held on the second day of the Emerging Tech Symposium, offers participants an exciting opportunity to collaborate and apply cutting edge ideas to real world challenges. Hosted in collaboration with the Emerging Tech Initiative, the hackathon will bring together interdisciplinary teams from across JHU, to integrate technical, strategic, and policy perspectives.
The hackathon is primarily for students and participation requires a separate application to ensure balanced teams.
Register for the symposium and complete the hackathon application form here.
Science policy hill day 2026
May 14-15 (exact date TBD)
8:30 am to 4:00 pm EDT
Washington, D.C.
Every year the Science Policy & Diplomacy Group organizes a Capitol hill day to advocate for science policy initiatives in meetings with members of Congress. This year, we are advocating for three initiatives: expanding mandatory vaccination insurance coverage, improving STEM immigration pathways, and strengthening the research partnership between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. More information on the initiatives can be found in the application form, linked below.
To be considered for Hill Day, please fill out this form by 11:59pm on Friday, April 10th. You do NOT need to be a U.S. citizen to apply; all JHU graduate students are welcome. It is especially helpful for those from states outside Maryland and those with specific experiences related to the initiatives (e.g., vaccine researchers) to join, but we encourage all to apply.
At this time, funding for this event is not guaranteed. The only costs will be travel to the Capitol and lunch. We will be trying to reimburse these expenses, but please understand if this is not possible.
Please contact Brendon Davis at bdavi119@jhu.edu with questions regarding Hill Day. If you are interested in other Johns Hopkins Science Policy and Diplomacy Group events, you can visit our website or email us at jhscipolgroup@gmail.com. Thank you!
Hill Day Response Form: LINK
Blog posts
Interested in writing for the blog?
Interested in writing about science policy? You can contribute a blog on policy topics related to your research or any area of science policy that excites you. Our editors will support you throughout the process. If you’d like to get involved, submit a blog idea through the form!
March and february recap
OpEd: General Assembly must rein in data center industry
Science diplomacy coordinator, Andrew Mattson and Andrew S. Eneim wrote an op ed regarding data centers and its rise in popularity as energy demands increase across the country. JHU students have access to Baltimore Business Journal. Sign up for a free account and read the article.
Happy hour
AAAS Annual meeting
JHSPDG members attended the AAAS annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ along with SNAP.
Additional opportunites
The future of emerging technologies in the Americas: geopolitics, cooperation, and development pathways
Apr 6, 2026
10 am – 5:30 pm EDT
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing technological competition, Latin America is re-emerging as a region of global relevance, yet its gains from emerging technologies remain well below its potential due to structural constraints, governance challenges, and fragmented cooperation frameworks.
This conference brings together government, industry, and academic perspectives from Latin America and the United States to explore how emerging technologies can foster cooperation rather than dependency, and identify concrete channels for collaboration shaped by institutional and geopolitical realities.
The conference is designed as a one-day sequence of morning panels followed by afternoon roundtable discussions for specific, actionable recommendations that will be synthesized into a strategic conference deliverable. Register via Hopkins groups.
Science diplomacy summit
April 12-13, 2026
8:00 am to 6:30 pm EDT
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
The Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Summit convenes stakeholders from across the globe to engage on some of the most pressing scientific topics of our day, including artificial intelligence, climate change innovation and research security.
Now in its third year, the summit is held at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Johns Hopkins University’s home in Washington, D.C., dedicated to connecting the worlds of evidence-based research and policy, educating the next generation of civic leaders and innovators, and convening a diversity of viewpoints to foster discovery and dialogue.
Register for the summit via cvent.
Emerging tech symposium
April 16 - 17, 2026
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC
The Emerging Tech Symposium, hosted by the Emerging Tech Initiative, brings together students, researchers, and innovators to explore cutting-edge developments across emerging technologies. Panels cover AI regulation, tech sovereignty, and the private sector’s role in driving innovation. Register for the symposum via eventbrite.
MSL Bill day
April 18-19, 2026
7:00 am – 9:00 pm EDT
Maryland State House, Annapolis, MD
The Annual Session will be a two day direct simulation of the Maryland General Assembly. Members of Maryland Student Legislature will debate the bills they have crafted throughout the semester, demonstrate parliamentary procedure, and be given the opportunity to experience life as a delegate or senator.
The registration for MSL’s overnight annual session at the Maryland State House has been extended until April 3rd, 2026.
Grad coalition
April 22, 2026
3 pm EDT
Senate Visitor Center (SVC-212), Washington, D.C.
The Graduate Research and Development (GRAD) Coalition represents more than 30 graduate student governments across the country and advocates for graduate student priorities in the United States Congress. This year, they are hosting a Congressional Briefing at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 22nd at 3 PM to gather graduate students, Congressional staff, and relevant stakeholders so student can share personal experiences, communicate challenges and issues of the current funding and training model, and advocate for federal policy changes. Register by April 14th, 5pm EDT
Stance on science
Stance on Science, a SNAP initiative, is designed to ensure science informs political decision-making. The initiative sends candidates science policy-related questions and publicly shares their responses. By highlighting candidates’ views on science, Stance on Science aims to elevate science in political conversations and remind candidates that voters care about informed, evidence-based leadership. Sign up to be a state volunteer and help ensure science guides policy in the 2026 elections.