Daniel Poux

Associate DirectorScience & Technology Policy Fellowships

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Science for Policy & Policy for Science

•Science for Policy vs. Policy for Science

•Different ways to plug into “science policy” matrix

•Critical skills for navigating the science/policy intersection

•Fellowship opportunities at AAAS and elsewhere

•Former Fellow panel discussion

•Q&A

Trained Scientists Help Policymakers in Two Main Ways

Improving and implementing the technical education, research, or development process

Informing policy-makers’ decisions

They leverage their expertise and understanding of how research and development happens.

1

They perform general or technical analysis based on their skills and expertise.

2 “Using Science to Aid Policy Decisions”

“Making Policy to Aid Scientific Progress”

Scientists Can Perform Different Types of Policy Work

Advocacy

Program Management

Coordination

Research

You can fill more than one role in a single job

Examples of Possible National Security Roles for Scientists

Program Management

Research Coordination Advocacy

Policy to Aid Science

Award and Manage Defense Department grants

Study how the Defense Department should best support basic research

Coordinate an international collaboration to research new technology to detect terrorists

Advocate for additional funding for redirection of former Soviet weapons scientists

Science to Aid Policy

Make decisions on which capabilities are feasible to include on a new fighter plane

Research what technologies foreign nations are developing to support their militaries

Coordinate a meeting to decide which military-related technologies will be export-controlled

Perform technical analysis to convince lawmakers not to pursue development of “bunker-buster” bombs

Program Management

Research Coordination Advocacy

Policy to Aid Science

Science to Aid Policy

Other Hot Issues in Policy for Science

Funding after the stimulus

Transformative research

Conflicts of interest

Scientific misconduct

Working with human subjects

Animal Welfare

Pipeline of researchers

Visas for foreign scientists

You Will Need a Broad Set of Skills:

Very strong oral communication ability

Compelling written communication style

Effective interpersonal relations

Flexibility in work topics and roles

Ability to “understand the big picture”

Organization

Ability to Multi-task

How to Decide Whether to Embark on a Science Policy-Related Career

Decide what you enjoy doing, are good at, and where you want to live

Identify places

Meet and talk with people

Career counseling Personality assessment

Capability assessmentValues assessment

Federal AgenciesNational LabsGovernment ContractorsThink Tanks, Nonprofit Advocacy Organizations

Ask them about their work & for their feedback and advice

“Big picture thinking”

“Oral and Written Communication”

“Global issues of importance”

How to Make the Transition (or Try It Out)

Apply directly to a government agency or NGO for a policy position

Find a technical position in an agency or national lab that also does policy work, then later transition within the organization

Transition by participating in one or more of the available fellowships designed to attract scientists and engineers

•12-week fellowships at the National Academies in Washington

•Open to current grad students & post-docs

•All scientific disciplines include engineering, social science & medicine

•Open to non-citizens in several visa categories or with permanent residency

http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/policyfellows/index.htm

http://fellows.ccst.us/index.php

•One-year fellowships in the California State Legislature

•Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, or a M.S. in engineering plus three years of experience

•Some non-citizens may be considered

•Not limited to California residents

Daniel PouxAssociate DirectorAAAS S&T Policy Fellowships202.326.7075 dpoux@aaas.org www.fellowships.aaas.org