What is the LifeWorks Speakers Bureau?
The LifeWorks Speakers Bureau is a service that lists scientists, clinicians, trainees, and other
professionals from the NIH and other Federal agencies who are available to speak at schools and public
science education events. Volunteers speak about a wide range of
health and medical science topics and careers.
Who can be a volunteer?
You must be a Federal employee, trainee, or contractor whose agency promotes the understanding of health and medical science in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Please note: Federal employees and contractors must receive prior approval from their Federal supervisor to speak on behalf of their agency.
What policies govern my participation?
LifeWorks Speakers Bureau volunteer activities have been approved as Official Duty Activities. Official Duty Activities are performed by an employee as part of, or an extension of, regular official responsibilities.
Summary of Policies that Govern Your Participation- Advance Supervisory Approval Required — You must request your supervisor’s approval to participate in these activities. Supervisors have discretion to approve appropriate activities as official duties. The IC determines whether permission will be given verbally or in writing (email is acceptable in most cases).
- Compensation — You may not accept additional compensation from an outside
organization for performing your official duties. This does not
include travel or per diem expenses, which may be allowable with
prior approval through the HHS-348 sponsored travel process. In some
circumstances, acceptance of monetary awards is permissible (see
also Acceptance of Awards and Honorary Degrees)
- Official Time — If you have already received your supervisor’s approval for these Official Duty Activities, you are not required to take annual leave or leave without pay for participating.
- Conflict of Interest — You must carefully consider the parties involved in the activity and determine whether a conflict (real or apparent) would arise from your involvement. A conflict may arise with respect to an official duty matter if you have two competing interests in that matter – the interest associated with your NIH duties and your own personal interest. This policy requires that you personally engage in the conflicts review process with respect to your official duty activities.
Helpful links for further information: IC Deputy Ethics Counselors, IC Ethics Coordinators, NIH Official Duty Activities Web Site.
How can I volunteer?
You can volunteer by clicking on the “New Volunteer” link at the top of this page. Fill out the online form and submit it. The information you provide will populate your live profile page on the LifeWorks Speakers Bureau Web site. You will have a chance to review your online profile before submitting the form. You may also save your form at any time and return later to complete it.
A high-resolution digital photograph is required for posting your profile online.
Before you volunteer, be sure to review the policies governing your participation in this activity, as described above.
What are the guidelines for creating my online bio?
For consistency of format and style on the Web site, please follow these guidelines for creating your online bio:
- content- a one to two paragraph description of your current work or research, how you became interested in science (or your career field), and what you hope to accomplish in your daily work or by being a speaker
- style- use a first person perspective, avoid acronyms and scientific jargon, explain your work or scientific research in a style for a general audience
- tone- considering our general audience, use plain language and an introductory and conversational tone
What happens after I sign up?
Your submitted profile will be reviewed by the LifeWorks Speakers Bureau administrator.
If your submission is complete, the Administrator will post your profile to the Web site and notify you by email.
How will I know when someone asks me to speak?
You will receive an email about it. You will have the option to accept or decline the opportunity or contact the requestor directly to discuss more details.
Who pays for my travel expenses?
You may not accept additional compensation from an outside organization for performing your official duties. This does not include travel or per diem expenses, which may be allowable with prior approval through the HHS-348 sponsored travel process.
How can I change my profile?
As a "Returning Volunteer," log in at the top of this page with your email address and password.
You will have an option to update your information on your volunteer questionnaire. Once submitted, the program administrator will review the changes and post your new profile.
Can I limit my long-distance invitations?
Yes. If you are a “New Volunteer,” select the geographical regions where you wish to speak on the online volunteer form.
If you are a "Returning Volunteer," log in at the top of this page with your email address and password. You will have an option to update your information on your volunteer questionnaire. Select the geographical regions where you wish to speak on the online form and submit your changes. The program administrator will review the changes and post your new profile.
What happens to a request if I am out of the office?
As a "Returning Volunteer," log in at the top of this page with your email address and password.
You will have an option to temporarily opt out to cover your planned leave. This also allows
the program administrator to view pending and unanswered requests and respond appropriately.
What if my Federal agency is not listed in the pull-down menu of the profile page?
Contact the NIH Speakers Bureau at LifeWorksSpeakersBureauAdmin@science.education.nih.gov to request that your agency be added.
What if you do not have access to an appropriate photo for your profile?
Contact the NIH Speakers Bureau at LifeWorksSpeakersBureauAdmin@science.education.nih.gov to request a photo session.
What if there is an error on my published profile?
You can sign-in to your account to change or update your profile.
Your changes will be reviewed and edited for consistency if necessary by the LifeWorks Speakers Bureau Administrator
before being published. If an incorrect change has been made by the Administrator, please send an e-mail describing
the problem to LifeWorksSpeakersBureauAdmin@science.education.nih.gov.
What if I have further questions?
Contact the NIH Speakers Bureau at LifeWorksSpeakersBureauAdmin@science.education.nih.gov.