Alternatively, you can build an Adafruit MacroPad in 15 minutes. It's the same concept with a custom keyboard, an OLED, and a rotary encoder. I've been using it for years, and not only is it compatible with Linux, but the code is also available and is 100% customizable.
Some scientists are already doing exactly that, closing the gap between research-driven science focused on understanding, and the role of scientists integrating it in society via politics.
(Disclaimer: Not my book, but a friend's) You can learn more on the topic in "Impact Science: The science of getting to radical social and environmental breakthroughs" which comes with a wonderful list of real-world stories.
Precisely the model we follow :), and the reason we named the tool that way: "Not only does Half-Life refer to the scientific model, it refers to the feeling that we spend half our lives on answering e-mails."