Scientific Citizenship Initiative : State Policy Fellowship Pilot
About the Scientific Citizenship Initiative
The Scientific Citizenship Initiative (SCI), led by Associate Director of Systems Biology Angela DePace, is an effort at Harvard that aims to equip scientists with the full set of skills needed for effective public engagement within and outside of academia. SCI is developing a graduate curriculum consisting of an intensive bootcamp, a semester-long course, and experiential learning off campus. An initial focus for SCI is to support students seeking policy careers.
Fellowship Overview
We are seeking two (2) pilot fellows who will be placed in the Massachusetts State Senate, in the office of a legislator or committee focused on policies that will require input from a diverse set of scientific fields. In addition to assignments structured by the host office, fellows will work with faculty advisors at SCI to develop co-curricular programming for future cohorts of policy fellows. This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated students to gain professional experience and have long-term impact by collaborating with SCI to shape the development of a cross-institutional science and technology fellowship program, for which legislation is currently pending.
On a day-to-day basis, fellows will report to a senior staff member within the host office, such as the Chief of Staff or Policy Director. Fellows will also meet bi-weekly with two SCI advisors: Angela DePace, the Faculty Director of SCI, and a policy practitioner. These meetings will provide focused mentoring that is geared toward scientists and responsive to fellows’ career goals. Through activities such as journal reflections, fellows and advisors will address structured questions and surface key aspects of the experience. The Massachusetts State House also hosts seminars throughout the summer term, which fellows are invited to attend but are optional.
Fellows’ assignments will vary based on the needs of the host office, but will include tasks such as:
- ● Researching science and technology-related policy areas relevant to the committee or legislator’s interests. This will include technical policy analysis, as well as the political dimensions of an issue (e.g., who are its supporters and opponents, and why?)
- ● Drafting reports, memos, and testimony for legislative hearings
- ● Interacting with constituents, advocates, and community groups about legislation relevant to science and
technology policy
- ● Attending formal legislative activities such as hearings or Senate Sessions
Schedule and Compensation
The fellowship will be 50% time (18-20 hours per week), for 10 weeks during the summer. Half-time fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend. The expected dates of the fellowship are June 3-August 9. Weekly schedules will be determined based on the needs of the host office and the fellow.
Application Instructions
- Please submit an application, CV, and one-page statement of interest at https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1S2R428aUIx7QYl . In the statement of interest, please discuss(1) what you hope to learn and contribute through the fellowship, and (2) how this relates to your future career plans. Please submit application materials by 11:59 pm on Monday, April 15.
For more information, please feel free to contact:
Vicki Dzindzichashvili | Associate Director, Scientific Citizenship Initiative | vicki@hms.harvard.edu.