GSA Science Policy Fellowship

Science Policy Fellowship Applications Open

GSA is seeking an early-career geoscience graduate to spend a year in Washington D.C. as the 2019-2020 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 assessments, climate change policy, and natural hazard mitigation and response. The fellow also works closely with GSA's Geology and Public Policy Committee on geoscience initiatives, including developing society-wide position statements on national issues.

The GSA Science Policy Fellowship is open to recent 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 . Consideration of applications will begin May 15. EEO/AAE/M/F/D/V

Current Fellow

Laura Szymanski

Laura Szymanski is serving as the 2018-2019 GSA Science Policy Fellow in Washington, D.C.

As the GSA Science Policy Fellow, Szymanski 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.

Concurrently, Szymanski is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Geography Department at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, where she studies the potential of carbon in buried soils to contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide with land disturbance and changes in climate. Laura has extensive expertise in the field of geoscience and previously taught Earth system science courses at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Szymanski completed a Master of Science in Geography, where she studied the effects of alternative biofuel cropping systems on soil carbon dynamics to contribute to assessing the sustainability of renewable fuels and products, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.