From Grad Student to Government: How Policy Fellowships Are Bridging the Career Gap

Policy fellowships have been launching the careers of newly minted masters and Ph.D.s for decades. Having worked in the U.S. Senate as a Sea Grant Knauss fellow at the end of graduate school, I can attest to the power of these programs which place scientists in government offices for a period of time (typically 1–2 years). With policy engagement being more of an accepted and encouraged activity for scientists than it was when I did my fellowship, I was curious if the experience for policy fellows was similar today. Two recent ASLO Science Communication Interns recently completed policy fellowships—Lushani Nanayakkara was a Mitacs Canada Science Policy Fellow and Britta Voss was a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow—so I took the opportunity to ask them about their experiences. Thinking of applying to a policy fellowship? You can learn more about both fellowships on the ASLO website! AS: How did the experiences you have prior to the fellowship prepare you (or not) for the realities of working in a government position? LN: In addition to analyzing the food-web dynamics of Prairie lake ecosystems, my Ph.D. research included a human dimensions component. This interdisciplinary approach really helped me focus on the need to consider and communicate the broader implications of my research, and how it can be useful in a decision-making context. I had always had a budding interest in policy, but honing in on this interdisciplinary perspective cemented my decision to apply for the fellowship, especially as a way to test out what is was like to work for the government. Professional development opportunities like the ASLO science communication internship, and writing for various science communication platforms boosted my communication portfolio and helped develop skills critical to working in government. Being able to articulate your position in a simple, straightforward manner without any technical jargon is sometimes a challenge for scientists, so I rely heavily on the skills learnt through these experiences. But you can only prepare so much in advance, and switching from academia to government was a bit of a culture shock for me initially. You really hit the ground running, especially if your job is connected to a piece of legislation making its way through Parliament, as was the case for me. It was a steep learning curve at the beginning, but an exciting one! So instead of relying on my content expertise, I had to really utilize my transferable skills to navigate this new landscape. My research and previous policy experience had taught me to have an open mind and try to learn something from every new experience; this approach helped me become comfortable relatively quickly. BV: The science communication and outreach activities I engaged in during grad school were some of the most useful things for preparing me for a science policy fellowship. They forced me to think about my research in a broader context and how to explain scientific concepts to non-scientists. This flexibility and perspective is critical for working in science policy or government in general because you will likely be working with people with a much wider range of expertise and technical training within and outside your office, and your success depends on being able to effectively communicate with some combination of people with backgrounds in business, economics, law, public policy, or other fields, members of Congress and their staff, members of the public, and others. In terms of the environment of working in a federal agency, I came to the AAAS fellowship from my postdoc fellowship at the U.S. Geological Survey, so I had experienced working in government. But the research setting of my USGS office was very different from the policy environment of headquarters offices in Washington, DC. Most federal science policy offices in DC have a much more business-like atmosphere with staff working regular hours and spending most of the day in computer work and meetings. While this may sound a bit drab compared to running lab experiments or collecting field samples, it offers an entirely different perspective on the science itself. In this setting, you get to see a wider swath of science and spend a lot more time thinking about the societal impacts of science than you would as a researcher. That opportunity is unique and I would recommend finding some way to experience it, even if in a less formal context than a fellowship (see question 3). AS: Did your fellowship change your thinking about how science (and scientists) can be part of the policy process? LN: Yes absolutely! One of the purposes of the fellowship is to expose us to the role science plays in government operations. Generally speaking you have (1) policy for science, which deals with things like research funding and (2) science for policy, which is the role science plays in policy-making. I think many scientists tend to have a bit of tunnel vision on science and the central role it should play in decision-making. However, my thinking on this was quickly challenged. Yes, science is an absolutely critical cornerstone of evidence-informed decision-making but it's not the only consideration. The decision-making environment is extremely complex and science is often only one of the factors that must be taken into account. This reality demonstrates why it's important for scientists to communicate their research findings to policy/decision-makers in a manner that is applicable to that issue, and have productive relationships with this policy/decision-makers so this can be done proactively. This is not to hold scientists solely responsible for cultivating these types of networks and relationships, but to emphasize the need to reach across the science-policy divide to ensure their science has a meaningful impact on the policy process. BV: My time as a science policy fellow really opened my eyes to the vast range of federal policy that is impacted by science and, ideally, scientists. Far more than just decisions about research funding allocation, federal science policies in Congress and the executive branch grapple with international diplomacy, agriculture subsidies, space exploration strategy, nuclear energy research priorities, facilitating progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, and countless other issues that have a nexus with science. The variety of issues each individual federal agency works on is also much vaster than I appreciated before my fellowship. I was placed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which I quickly learned supports standards development in areas quite far from what I had previously known them for—chemical concentration standards. For example, I learned first-hand how my office, which manages a funding program to accelerate research and development of communication technologies for emergency first responders, is connected to broader issues like federal artificial intelligence policy and wireless spectrum management. Something the AAAS program tries very hard to instill in fellows when they arrive in DC is the reality that science is one of many considerations policymakers weigh when making decisions, and that is okay. Coming from research and academic backgrounds, many of us feel (if subconsciously) that if science points to a particular policy solution to a problem, then it is the only correct choice. Policymakers (whether they are politicians or decision-makers at agencies), however, evaluate policies against multiple factors including feasibility, cost, justice, the preferences of their stakeholders, and many other issues. While sometimes these other considerations may not be scientifically or democratically justified, the fact that science is one of a variety of influences on policy decisions is appropriate as a general principle. Science policy decisions have impacts on people, which means people (not just scientists) should have a voice in the decision-making process. The role of science policy is to try to make sure that relevant data and analysis are included in that conversation, presented to the right people at the right time and in the right way to clearly convey the most important messages to non-experts. Scientists aren't traditionally trained in the methods of building relationships with decision-makers and communicating for non-experts (that's where programs like science policy fellowships come in), but by combining those skills with their technical knowledge, scientists can help ensure that science gets a fair shake in policy debates. AS: What advice would you give current students who are interested in policy fellowships (about preparing a strong application, making the transition easier, when to do such a fellowship, etc.)? LN: Diversify your portfolio. This cannot be stressed enough, step outside your research silo and develop transferable skills, communication being a key one. Even if you are not at the stage where you can commit to a fellowship, start exploring your options. It is never too early to start looking, do some initial research to identify some options that are interesting/relevant to you. Consider where you would like to work, what kind of work you find interesting, etc. Reach out to those organizations and ask if they can put you in touch with current/past fellows or what opportunities are available for you to gain some experience in this field. If someone reaches out to you in response, ask them about their experience and questions that will help you decide whether this is a good option for you. This may sound cliché but don't underestimate the power of networking! BV: Reach out to your peers and colleagues (or seek out new connections through science policy groups or career centers at your institution or professional societies) who have engaged in policy in some way. Whether they are someone who spent time working in government in some capacity or have met with elected officials or written op-eds, these people will be able to offer advice and guidance from a perspective of some familiarity (common scientific or policy interests, institutional affiliation, or whatever your connection is). If you are in an early stage of considering science policy, these conversations will help you understand what science policy is and what opportunities exist to make it part of your career path. And of course if you have already decided you plan to pursue science policy, building relationships with experienced science policy practitioners will help you develop your plans for getting there. Another great way to prepare for a science policy fellowship is to dip your toes into science policy work! Write an op-ed, schedule a meeting with your Congressional representatives, write a policy brief and publish it as a blog post, organize a science-themed roundtable discussion for a local school or civic group on an issue of local importance. Activities like these will allow you to hone your communication skills and demonstrate your policy interests and acumen. If your institution has a group for scientists interested in policy, join them and get involved—or if they don't have one, start your own! Many scientific societies and nonprofit organizations have policy toolkits, trainings, and events to help you get started and offer activities to join (like Congressional Visit Days) so you don't have to start completely from scratch or go it alone. AS: How did participating in the fellowship impact your plans for your future? LN: The fellowship had a significant impact on my plans for the future. Having a year to explore a career in government was invaluable. It allowed me to experience first-hand what a government career entails, the work-life balance it offers, the impact you can have on environmental issues, and the challenges and rewards of being in a policy program. Ultimately it reinforced my interest in pursuing a career outside of academia. BV: The fellowship experience confirmed for me that I want to pursue a career that bridges scientific research and social impacts. It equipped me with hands-on training in communication and the federal policy process and introduced me to a whole community of other scientists who are passionate about putting their technical skills to work for policy. It also broadened my awareness of the multitude of different forms that science policy work can take. The federal government is just one piece of the science policy universe. Scientific expertise is also needed at nonprofit organizations, think tanks, state and local government agencies, and many other areas. As I transition to my next opportunity, it's actually hard to narrow down the types of work I can see myself being excited to work in. My fellowship experience both exposed me to types of work that I hadn't previously heard of, but also made me see more connections between research and scientific inquiry and social challenges. In many ways, it reinvigorated my excitement for science while pivoting my specific career trajectory. AS: Anything else you would like to add? LN: Trying to veer off the traditional path academia may be scary and challenging, especially if all your mentors are academics. So have an open mind and explore what kinds of science policy activities are feasible for you. As stated above, don't underestimate the power of networking. Reach out to people and try to get their perspective on various career options. Don't get discouraged if something doesn't fit within you content expertise, consider what transferable skills you possess and how they may be applicable to this opportunity. Remember, there is no universal formula on how to get involved in science policy. So try to participate in as many diverse experiences as possible so you are making the most informed decision possible about your career path. BV: Aquatic scientists curious about policy shouldn't be intimidated by the notion that fellowships in DC are the only way to get involved in science policy or get the experience you want to launch a science policy career. First, there are a range of science policy fellowships out there—some are less than a year long, some are not in DC. Second, there are lots of non-fellowship opportunities in science policy, as described in question 3. To try to minimize the amount of this work that takes the form of uncompensated labor, look for ways to incorporate policy into your existing research and institutional programs and colleagues or mentors that can help you formalize this. For example, you may be able to collaborate with a colleague in a non-STEM field to write a policy analysis or design a science policy course on a topic related to your research. Experiences both formal and informal can build a portfolio of policy expertise that can help you incorporate more policy focus into your existing career or prepare you for a new policy-focused career path.

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