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STUDENT AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS UPDATE
GSA Science Policy Fellow:

An Amazing Student Opportunity

to Work on Geoscience Legislation

If you would have told me a year ago of the primary responsibilities of scientists is to convey scientifi-
that I would be working as the 2020–2021 cally backed information to those in political power when given
Geological Society of America (GSA) the opportunity, in the hopes of spurring meaningful legislation.
Science Policy Fellow, I probably wouldn’t This fellowship has allowed me to do just that.
have believed you—not because I did not Finally, the fellowship seemed like a great opportunity to net-
have an interest in policy, but because I work. As a Fellow, I have been able to network with professionals
figured I would be jumping directly into a across scientific agencies and organizations, which has been espe-
career in operational emergency manage- cially rewarding and important to me as a recent graduate and
ment after wrapping up my dissertation working my first job outside of academia.
Connor Dacey and finishing my Ph.D. in disaster science Due to COVID-19, my experiences as the GSA Science Policy
and management from the University of Fellow are much different than those fellows that came before me.
Delaware. However, now having been a fellow for a few months, Nevertheless, I have been able to fulfill many of the same roles and
I can honestly and enthusiastically say that I am profoundly grate- responsibilities. My weeks consist of attending virtual meetings as
ful for the opportunity to represent GSA. a member of working groups like geopolicy and climate science. I
I was drawn to the GSA Science Policy Fellowship for numer- helped assist with the first virtual Geoscience Congressional Visits
ous reasons. First, I have always had an interest in policy despite Day and attended the GSA 2020 Connects Online meeting. I attend
being formally trained as a physical and social scientist. My back- webinars and take notes on topics relating to geoscience legislation.
ground is in meteorology, having obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees I also contribute to the GSA “Speaking of Geoscience” blog and
in meteorology and atmospheric and oceanic sciences from help to keep GSA members updated on the latest legislation.
Florida State University and the University of Wisconsin– Overall, it has been a fulfilling experience as the GSA Science
Madison, respectively. I completed numerous internships and Policy Fellow.
work experiences throughout my educational journey as I tried to I would strongly advise those students who are graduating soon
learn what I wanted to do for a career. For example, I interned at and have an interest in science policy to consider applying for the
The Weather Channel, volunteered with the National Weather 2021–2022 GSA Science Policy Fellowship, even if you are not
Service, and even interned with the 45th Weather Squadron at the sure whether you want to pursue a career in science policy. GSA
U.S. Air Force. Though I thoroughly enjoyed each of these experi- is filled with wonderful and knowledgeable individuals who have
ences, I wanted to continue to grow and learn in other fields. shown me incredible kindness, support, and patience during these
While working on my Ph.D., I completed an internship in emer- trying times.
gency management with the Madison Fire Department in The application deadline for the GSA Science Policy Fellow is
Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and believed I found my career path. 15 May. Additional details on the fellowship and application pro-
Nevertheless, I still had a nagging curiosity about policy, being cess are available on GSA’s website (https://www.geosociety.org/
especially concerned about environmental policy. Yearning to GSA/Science_Policy/GSA_Science_Policy_Fellowship/GSA/
learn more, I took several environmental and energy policy classes Policy/policyFellow.aspx). GSA also offers a Congressional
while in graduate school, being most interested in topics such as Science Fellowship (www.geosociety.org/csf). This fellowship,
climate change, disaster preparedness, and renewable energy. jointly sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey, differs from the
I wanted to learn more about how science applied to actual policy Science Policy Fellowship in that it allows one to work directly
work and implementation. The GSA Science Policy Fellowship with a member of Congress or congressional committee, and has
presented itself as an opportunity to work at this intersection and an annual application deadline of 15 Jan.
learn the legislative process by tracking geoscience-related legisla- Please feel free to reach out to me at any time at sciencepolicy@
tion as it passes through Congress and assisting in the develop- geosociety.org, and I’d be happy to try to answer any questions or
ment of strategic communication to policy makers. further discuss these opportunities.
Second, I have always been interested in bridging the gap
between scientists and policy makers. I strongly believe that one

20 GSA Today | March-April 2021