GSA Science Policy Fellowship

Fellow activities include:

Attend congressional hearings and Hill briefings.
Track geoscience-related legislation as it progresses through Congress.
Keep GSA members informed about policy activities through GSA’s newsletter, website, and Member Community.
Plan, schedule, and run Congressional Visits Days, associated training sessions, and other science policy events.
Assist in developing strategic communications to policy makers.
Bridge the communication gap between policy makers and scientists.
Participate in GSA’s Geology and Public Policy Committee activities.

GSA Science Policy Fellowship Applications Open

GSA is seeking an early-career geoscience graduate to spend a year in Washington, D.C. as the 2020-2021 GSA Science Policy Fellow.

The “in-house” fellow works with GSA’s Director for Geoscience Policy to bring science and scientists into the policy process. The fellow acts as a science policy liaison, keeping GSA members informed, involved, and represented in national policy in areas such as research funding, energy and natural resource, climate change, and natural hazard mitigation and response.

The GSA Science Policy Fellowship is open to recent geoscience Masters or PhD graduates. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background, excellent oral and written communication skills, be self-motivated, and have a demonstrated interest in public policy and science communication. This one-year position includes a stipend and GSA’s benefits package.

The anticipated start date is September 1, although some flexibility exists. To apply, send a resume, cover letter, a nontechnical writing sample, and contact information for 3 references to kwhite AT geosociety.org. Consideration of applications will begin May 15. EEO/AAE/M/F/D/V

Current Fellow

Ryan Haupt

Ryan Haupt is serving as the 2019-2020 GSA Science Policy Fellow in Washington, D.C.

As the GSA Science Policy Fellow, Haupt is serving as the "in-house" fellow, working with GSA's Director for Geoscience Policy to bring science and scientists into the policy process. This position acts as a science policy liaison, keeping GSA members informed, involved, and represented in national policy on topics including research funding, energy and natural resource assessments, climate change policy, and natural hazard mitigation and response.

Haupt is a Ph.D. candidate in the Geology and Geophysics Department at the University of Wyoming, where he studies the dietary ecology of living and extinct animals, in particular sloths, which he began studying with his master of science degree from Vanderbilt University. Haupt has extensive geological and biological training and experience, beginning with his undergraduate bachelor of science degrees in Environmental Geology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, including fieldwork all around California and in the neotropics. Haupt also served as a GeoCorps-GIP intern at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado. His current research involves developing and refining tools to determine diet in organisms that tend to confound traditional methods, such as sloths.

Policy Fellow Lindsay Davis meets with Rep. David Price during Climate Science Day.

Science Policy Fellow Elizabeth Goldbaum helps lead a field trip to Capitol Hill.

Fellow Karen Paczkowski discusses policy at a communications workshop at GSA's Annual Meeting.