What is Science Policy
Download
Report
Transcript What is Science Policy
PIPETTES TO POLICY:
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND TIPS
FOR ENHANCING YOUR APPLICATION
Yvette R. Seger, PhD
Director of Science Policy, FASEB
Topics Covered
Is science policy for you?
What science policy fellowships are available?
What kind of experiences will help you prepare
for a career or fellowship in science policy?
Tips for preparing a competitive application for
a science policy fellowship
Is Science Policy for You?
What Is Science Policy?
Science for Policy
Using science to develop and drive policy decisions
Policy for Science
Government laws, regulations, and policies that affect
scientists and the research and development enterprise
The Science Policy Mentality
Do you enjoy…
Learning a little bit about a lot of issues (instead of a lot
about one topic)?
Keeping up with current events and issues in science?
Interacting with people and resolving disagreements?
Teaching scientific concepts (explaining scientific
information to non-scientists?)
A fast-paced working environment?
Writing for non-scientific audiences?
Working under the pressure of tight deadlines?
Careers in Science Policy
Where do you find science policy professionals?
Government and government advisory bodies
Congress
White House
Science agencies (NIH, NSF, etc.)
National Academies
Associations (scientific societies, disease organizations)
Industry (pharmaceutical and biotech companies)
Universities (government relations offices)
Think Tanks
Start Ups
Science Policy Fellowships
Reasons to Pursue a Fellowship
Enrich scientific training with policy experience
Interest in assisting with the development of
policy in a specific area
Desire to “test-drive” a career in policy
Fellowship Goals
Increase awareness of the policy process
within the scientific community
Incorporate subject matter experts (e.g., YOU)
into the development of policy
Engage researchers in advocacy activities
Enhance communication skills of scientists
Expand career opportunities available for PhDtrained scientists
Finding a Fellowship
Professional Societies/Associations
Foundations
Government Agencies (State & Federal)
Institutional
AAAS S & T Policy Fellowships
Fellowships in 7 program areas:
Congressional
(2/cycle)
Diplomacy, Security & Development (30-40/cycle)
Energy, Environment, Agriculture (30-40/cycle)
Health, Education & Human Services (3040/cycle)
Big Data & Analytics (5-15/pilot)
Judicial Branch (1-2/pilot)
Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship
(1/cycle)
AAAS S & T Policy Fellowships
Eligibility
Must hold doctoral degree
Must be U.S. citizen
Cannot be federal employee
Three-tier Application/Review Process
Application
Semi-finalist Interviews
Placement Interviews
Commitment
One-year fellowships, option for one renewal
Stipend (varies) and relocation benefits
AAAS S & T Policy Fellowships
Congressional
Fellows
work on Capitol Hill
Offices
of Members of Congress
Congressional Committees
Assist
in research, development and drafting of
legislation and provide input to policy review and
oversight
AAAS places two Fellows, but also partners with
~30 professional societies to administer
Congressional Fellowships
Congressional Fellowship Partners
Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Acoustical Society of America
American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy
American Chemical Society
American Geosciences Institute
American Geophysical Union
American Institute of Physics
American Mathematical Society
American Meteorological Society
American Nuclear Society
American Psychological Association
American Physical Society
American Society of Agronomy/Crop
Science Society of America/Soil
Science Society of America
American Society of
Anesthesiologists
American Sociological Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society for Microbiology
American Society of Mechanical
Engineers
American Veterinary Medical
Association
Biophysical Society
Federation of Animal Science
Societies
Geological Society of America
Institute of Electric and Electronics
Engineers
Congressional Fellowship Partners
Institute of Food Technologists
Institute of Navigation
Materials Research Society
The Optical Society
The International Society for Optics
and Photonics
Society for Research in Child
Development
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration, Inc.
Society for the Psychological Study
of Social Issues
Society for Automotive Engineers
International
The Minerals, Metals, and Materials
Society
AAAS S & T Policy Fellowships
Health, Education, & Human Services
Program
Fellows
placed at federal agencies
Department
of Health & Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Science Foundation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA)
Support
improved programs, policies, planning,
risk analysis, regulation, monitoring and
evaluation for a broad range of initiatives
AAAS places 30-40 Fellows per cycle
Mirzayan S & T Policy Fellowship
Sponsored by The National Academies
12-week fellowship with an Academies
Committee, Board, or Unit
$8,500 stipend
Open to current graduate or professional school
students or applicants within five years of
completing degree
Open to international applicants (F-1 [CPT or
OPT], J-2 dependents, J-1 students or research
scholars, DACA recipients, adjustment
applicants/refugees/asylees/other select visa
categories
FASEB Society Fellowships
American Society for Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology
12-18
month Fellowship (1/cycle)
Stipend and healthcare benefits
Fellows work in ASBMB Office of Public Affairs
Research
and Analysis
Advocacy
Communications
Recent
doctoral graduate
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
FASEB Society Fellowships
American Society for Human Genetics
16
month Fellowship (1/cycle)
Rotations on NHGRI Education Office, ASHG
Office, and optional third rotation (e.g.,
Smithsonian, NSF, etc)
Advanced degree in human genetics
Must be eligible to work in U.S.
FASEB Society Fellowships
American Association for Immunologists
12
month Public Policy Fellowship Program (up to
10/cycle)
Opportunity for postdocs and early career
investigators to learn about and participate in
AAI’s Public Policy and Legislative Activities
Participate in AAI Capitol Hill Day
Attend the AAI Annual Meeting and participate in
Public Policy sessions
Serve on AAI Public Policy Committee
FASEB Society Fellowships
American Society for Nutrition
12 month Fellowships (2/cycle)
Must be ASN members
Based at home institution, but will travel once to D.C.
during fellowship
Participate in Capitol Hill and federal agency visits
Mentorship component
Serve on ASN’s Public Policy Committee
Advanced grad students, postdocs, early career
professionals, medical interns, residents, or fellows
Must be eligible to work in U.S. and based at U.S.
institution during fellowship
FASEB Society Fellowships
American Society for Pharmacology and
Experimental Therapeutics
12 month Fellowships (up to 10/cycle)
Must be ASPET members
Based at home institution, but will travel to D.C. during
fellowship
Participate in Capitol Hill and federal agency visits
Attend Experimental Biology (annual meeting)
Serve as science advocates in home district
Open to grad students, postdocs, and early career
researchers (within 4 years of degree completion)
Must be eligible to work in U.S.
Hellman Fellowships
American Academy for Arts & Sciences
12
month Fellowship (possibility of renewal)
Based in Cambridge, MA
Fellows contribute to ongoing projects within the
Academy’s Initiative
Open to grad students, postdocs, and early
career researchers (within 4 years of degree
completion)
Must be eligible to work in U.S.
Skills and Experiences
Skills For Science
Many scientific research skills are actually
applicable to science policy…
Scientific
content knowledge and
understanding of the scientific process
Analytical and critical thinking skills
Ability to learn quickly and master new topics
Project management and organization
Understanding how to interpret data
Presentation skills
Skills For Science Policy
Communication
Consensus Building
Convey scientific information and its importance
to non-scientists
Non-technical writing
Public speaking
FASEB statements reflect the views of 27 diverse
organizations
Networking
Being well-connected and fostering professional
relationships
Pathways to Careers in Science Policy
Great ways to develop science policy skills:
Join and participate in a scientific society or
organization
Contribute articles or letters to local newspapers
and/or institution or society newsletters
Teach or mentor in your community
Volunteer at a local science museum
Participate in a Capitol Hill Day
Stay informed on science issues in the news
Network to make contacts outside your field (and
keep them)
Pathways to Careers in Science Policy
Great ways to develop science policy skills:
Internships with institutional Offices of Government
Relations, Technology Transfer, or Sponsored
Research
Internships with foundations or advocacy
organizations
Organize policy discussion groups
Invite elected officials to your lab
Work on a political campaign
Informational interviews
Preparing Your Application
Application Tips
Be aware of deadlines!
Be sure you are eligible before you apply
Provide references with relevant program
information and copies of your application
materials
Contact program manager if you have any
questions
Speak with former fellows about their
experiences in the program
Personal Statement
Avoid the trap of preparing a “one-size-fits-all”
personal statement
Review for grammar and spelling
Avoid scientific jargon/acronyms
Have multiple friends (scientific and nonscientific) review your statement
Express clear areas of policy interest/focus
Incorporate aspects of fellowship program to
which you are attracted
Curriculum Vitae/Resumé
Reorganize to emphasize policy activities
Beware the oversell
Review for grammar and spelling
Avoid scientific jargon/acronyms
Speak with potential references about your
career goals prior to listing them on your CV
Writing Samples
Preferably not scientific papers!
Seek
opportunities to write for institutional
newsletters or press releases
Many programs ask for two-page policy brief
If multiple authors, be prepared to discuss your
contributions
Interview
Prepare your personal “elevator speech”
Do not assume interviewers are scientists
Develop a list of questions (avoid salary!)
Review key materials from website
Dress for the job you want
Have copies of CV, personal statement,
reference contact information, and writing
samples
Questions?
For More Information…
FASEB Office of Public Affairs
http://www.faseb.org/Policy-and-Government-Affairs.aspx
Yvette Seger, PhD
Director of Science Policy
[email protected]
(301) 634-7124
FASEB Policy Resources
Sign-up to receive e-action alerts
(http://www.faseb.org/Policy-and-Government-Affairs.aspx)
Subscribe to FASEB’s Washington Update
(http://washingtonupdate.faseb.org/)
Follow us on Twitter - @FASEBopa
Become a fan of our Facebook page
Explore FASEB’s Advocacy Tool-kit
(http://www.faseb.org/Policy-and-Government-Affairs/Become-an-Advocate.aspx)