Communicating science and technology with members of the public is a critical skill for today’s scientists and engineers. To provide a vehicle to hone these skills and educate the public about a broad swath of issues in science and policy, AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) hosts the Sci on the Fly blog and podcast for fellows to write and produce. Catch up on the latest posts below!
Science She-roes: Seven women scientists reflect on their journey to the STPF Fellowship
STPF fellow Kazue Chinen shares a bit about her experience as a Korean-American woman “learning how to express myself as both a scientist and a woman of color.” Then, she delves into the histories of a few of her STPF fellowship classmates to hear their STPF “origin stories.” She wanted to know “who mentored these women and how they overcame any challenges.” In a fascinating blog, Chinen brings to life the back stories and experiences of six STPF fellows.
Podcast | From Tropical Jungles to the Arctic with Dr. Roberto Delgado
STPF fellow Roberto Delgado has a doctorate in biological anthropology from Duke University, where he researched the social behavior and calls of male orangutans. How did he end up becoming program director for the Arctic Observing Network (AON) in the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs–as far removed from the jungle of Borneo as one could imagine? Listen to find out.
Stakeholder Identification: A Beginner's Guide
How do scientists keep track of who and what their research priorities will affect? STPF fellow Sarah Loftus walks through the core process of stakeholder mapping–a systematic way of identifying, sorting, visualizing, and engaging stakeholders. Learn about an enormously useful tool you can apply in most any professional setting.
Podcast | Protecting Antarctica with Dr. Nature McGinn, Part 2
STPF alumna fellow Nature McGinn is the Environmental Policy Program Manager and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit Officer in the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation. Nature has been at NSF for over eight years, with her first two years as an STPF fellow in the Office of Polar Programs, before entering a permanent position in the agency as an Environmental Policy Specialist in 2015. In the second of two episodes, she she talks about how the STPF fellowship provided certain skills and opened doors for a permanent job in government, and about the work she does now to safeguard the environment and species in the world’s last true wilderness area–Antarctica.