Science and Technology Policy

1. Science and Technology Policy Ashley Grant, Ph.D., M.P.H. University of Texas Medical Branch February 27th, 2014

2. Current Job • U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs (OSD/NCB)

3. Academia Career Track

6. Game Changer • Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)/Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Travel Award

7. Lab  Office

9. Science for Ashley Love Hate Writing Grants Writing Scientific Papers Competitive Focusing on one topic Publish or Perish • Making a difference! • Traveling • Communicating science • Flexibility • Creative Thinking • Learning new things Working in the laboratory

11. Science Policy • Science policy is an area of public policy which is concerned with the policies that affect the conduct of the science and research enterprise, including the funding of science, often in pursuance of other national policy goals such as technological innovation to promote commercial product development, weapons development, health care and environmental monitoring. Science policy also refers to the act of applying scientific knowledge and consensus to the development of public policies. (Wikipedia)

12. Federal Agencies Write a Grant Submit a Grant Funding! No Funding. 

15. Funding • Submit Budget to Congress • Give Money to components, academia and industry • Justify Budget

16. Chemical and Biological Defense • Medical • Physical • Budget • Science and Technology • Operations

17. Policy • Produce documents that interpret laws • Guidance and Strategies • Directives • Public Laws • Public Affairs • Recommendations/Reports

18. Interagency • Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) • National Security Council (NSC) • Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)

19. International • Bilateral engagements • Multilateral engagement • International Security • Arm Control • Threat Reduction

20. Congress/Political Appointee • Briefings • Read Ahead • Talking Points • Writing Speeches • Information Memos • Letters • Trip Book

21. Policy Fellowships • http://fellowships.aaas.org/ (November 1st) • http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/policyfellows/ (September 5th) • http://scoville.org/(October 1st)

22. Policy Fellowships Mirzayan AAAS 1 year (+1 year renewable) Government Executive Congressional Judicial (New) Big Data Match with office Pay: $75,621 (min)+ (health, transport, relocation, travel) • 3 months (extensions are possible) • National Academies • Assigned to committee or roundtable. • Pay: $8,500 for 12 weeks

23. National Academies

27. AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. In addition to organizing membership activities, AAAS publishes the journal Science, as well as many scientific newsletters, books and reports, and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding for science worldwide. For information on internships and fellowships, visit: http://www.aaas.org/careercenter/

28. Applying to Jobs/Fellowships • Informational Interviews • Cover Letter • Fellowship specifics • Policy vs. Scientific Writing • Interview Tips • LinkedIn • USAjobs

29. Introduction Email Dr. ____________, _____________ provided me with your email address. As a _________ at _____________I am seeking to learn more about careers in this field of __________________, he/she thought you might be able to provide me with useful information. If you are able to find time, I would like to meet with you in person for 20 minutes to interview you about your career. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, _________________

30. Cover Letter Dear XXX, I would like to express my interest in applying for the position of ________ at the _________. I feel that I am a strong candidate for this position, and that my background and experience in biomedical sciences would complement ongoing activities at the _________. My education and experience encompass field- and laboratory-base approaches to biomedical research, in domestic and international settings. My qualifications are as follows. I have: • Completed undergraduate degrees in chemistry and business from the California Institute of Technology, a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, and a M.P.H. in epidemiology. • Determined experts in specific fields of science for committees and refined subject matter experts. • Familiar with a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods. As a member at the _____________, I would like to continue to work with at the intersection of health and medicine to have an impact on the future. I feel that my combined experience in chemistry, molecular biology, virology, and public health is ideal and complementary fit to your institute. I am ambitious and hardworking, and passionate about medicine and health. Thank you very much for considering me for this position.

31. AAAS Essays Candidate Statement: (1,000 word limit) Provide a statement about your qualifications for the fellowship and your career goals. Target your statement specifically to the fellowship program area to which you are applying. Generic statements submitted to multiple fellowship program areas are less competitive. Please proofread your statement before submitting. The Candidate Statement must address each of the following five points: Brief Bio * Please provide a brief summary of your background, work history, and interests in no more than 200 words. Extracurricular Activities * Copy and paste the text box below, a statement of extracurricular activities, not to exceed 500 words. Provide brief examples of your activities beyond the lab, classroom or office, and your role and accomplishments in those efforts. These might include activities with community groups, professional associations, advisory and editorial committees, nonprofit organizations, outreach and teaching to nonscientific audiences, etc.

33. Selection Criteria • Leadership & Potential (1 - 15 points) • Prior leadership roles relevant to career stage (graduate student governance or faculty committees; advisory or editorial committees; active in professional societies, non-profit, or community initiatives; other) • Skill/potential to organize, build consensus, lead projects and people toward positive outcomes • Confidence, maturity, and self-direction with the capacity, initiative and flexibility to work well independently as well as in groups • Ability to identify personal strengths and areas for growth and development • Potential to take initiative to make the fellowship a rich and positive experience, to disseminate the skills learned through the fellowship, and take advantage of networks developed

34. Policy Briefs

35. Differences in Writing Scientific Papers Policy Briefs Statement of Problem Background Legislative Context Policy Recommendation Conclusion 1-2 Pages • Introduction • Methods • Results • Conclusions • References • 10-12 Pages

36. Geoengineering?

37. http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/geoengineering-plane.jpghttp://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/geoengineering-plane.jpg

38. http://cdn-imgs.aeonmagazine.com/images/2013/03/Chinese-cloud-buster.jpghttp://cdn-imgs.aeonmagazine.com/images/2013/03/Chinese-cloud-buster.jpg

42. Interview Tips • Problem, Action, Solution • Tell me about yourself… • Magic Wand • Black SUV • Why do you want this fellowship? • BE EXCITED!

43. AAAS Interview • Five Minute Briefing • 20 minutes of the interview. These may include questions pertaining to your experience, items noted in your application, or expectations for the fellowship; situations you might encounter as a AAAS Fellow; your thoughts on science and policy issues; or topics pertaining to the specific fellowship area for which you are interviewing. Although you should provide some detail in your responses, it’s also important to be succinct. • 10-12 people in a long table

45. LinkedIn Groups

46. Follow-up! • Send Thank You Emails • LinkedIn Connect • Send updates • Network • Ask for favors

47. USA Jobs • Survey • Directions (Salary, Time, Hours, etc) • Know Someone • Dates Application is Open • Resume Builder • Longer than expected

48. Tips • Bet on yourself • Wait until the signatures • Pursue every opportunity • Trust your gut • Do I want to be doing this in 5 years? • If you don’t get this…then what? • What is the worse thing that can happen?

49. Questions?

50. Email • ashleymariegrant@gmail.com • ashley.grant4.ctr@mail.mil