Congratulations to Zoe Guttman for being selected as a 2021 SciPol Scholar

Reprinted from National Science Policy Network

SciPol Scholars set to take on the Economics of Science Policy

Apr 02, 2021

National Science Policy Network announces second SciPol Scholars Cohort for spring 2021

April 2, 2021 - As part of their new hands-on science policy curriculum and training, the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) is excited to announce the second cohort of Science Policy Scholars, who will start their bootcamp training the week of April 19, 2021. 

The Science Policy (SciPol) Scholars-in-Residence Program provides hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities for early-career scientists and engineers seeking to build and use their skills in policymaking. Scholars are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in a six-week bootcamp where they learn key skills in science policy, communication, and professional development. Scholars who complete the bootcamp are then eligible to be matched with host offices for a remote “residency” (internship) in which they can put their skills into practice.

“Traditional higher education too often excludes science policy career paths and overlooks early career scientists’ need for resources to jumpstart their civic engagement,” said Holly Mayton, NSPN’s Director of Partnerships. “Our Science Policy Scholars Program meets early career STEM professionals and students where they are, giving them the opportunity to pursue pathways and build projects they are passionate about. We are thrilled to be able to provide this training and experiential learning opportunity to an exceptional second cohort of SciPol Scholars!”

The theme of the upcoming bootcamp will be “The Economics of Science Policy.” Participants will learn how scientists and engineers can inform policy, gain skills to effectively communicate scientific knowledge to different audiences, improve their writing and public speaking skills, and understand how economics affect and are affected by science and policy.

“We are excited to center the important intersection between science and technology, economics, and public policy in all of our conversations throughout the course in addition to a special lecture with Dr. William Bonvillian, Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at MIT and former director of the MIT Washington D.C. Office, and expert in science, technology, and innovation economic theory.” said William Ota, the SciPol Scholar Coordinator. “We look forward to demonstrating the many paths available to early career scientists and engineers if they want to pursue careers in science policy.”

The new bootcamp will welcome thirteen participants, who will begin the program the week of April 19, 2021. Congratulations to the new SciPol Scholars:

• Heidi Yeh (Rutgers University)

• Helen Killeen (University of California, Davis)

• Joseph Long (Cornell University)

• Lauren Schrader (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

• Leslie Sigmon (Johns Hopkins University)

• Mehrgol Tiv (McGill University)

• QinQin Yu (University of California, Berkeley)

• Shannon Wolfman (University of Pennsylvania)

• Sharon Rivera (University of Washington & Tacoma Community College)

• Tara Illgner (University of Virginia)

• Yohanna White (University of Georgia)

• Zakaria Hsain (University of Pennsylvania)

• Zoe Guttman (University of California, Los Angeles

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Rita Allen Foundation.