Each year, the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) hosts a series of online chats with current and alumni fellows as an opportunity for folks who are interested in applying to become an STPF fellow to hear from fellows and ask questions about science policy life in Washington. This year, five live chats are planned June through October.
We kicked off the series last month with Avelino Amado (2021-23 Executive Branch Fellow, U.S. Department of Defense) and Rajiv Thakur (2022-23 Executive Branch Fellow, U.S. Agency for International Development; and 2023-24 Executive Branch Fellow, U.S. Department of State). There were well over 100 live attendees who asked questions and received first-hand insights from the panelists about life as a policy fellow. Amado and Thakur emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the fellowship and how it provides a dynamic (and often life-changing) opportunity to collaborate with policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. They also discussed the importance of effective communication and encouraged prospective applicants to think beyond just their discipline to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable policies.
Do not despair if you missed the first live chat. You can watch the archived video and also register for upcoming chats at https://www.aaas.org/news/2023-chat-series-chat-aaas-st-policy-fellows.
I hope to see you online!