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.
Current Fellow
Dr. Joshua Martin is a 2026-2027 GSA-sponsored Congressional Science Fellow. Josh is an Earth Scientist with expertise in high-pressure mineral physics, X-ray diffraction, and federal science policy. His policy interests span natural resources and energy sciences, including topics like critical minerals, geothermal energy, and geologic mapping, with a focus on advancing U.S. Geological Survey programs such as Earth MRI and the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program.
Prior to this role, Josh served as GSA’s 2023-2026 Senior Science Policy Fellow, where he worked closely with congressional offices, federal agencies, and state geological surveys to highlight the essential role of geoscience in addressing national priorities like securing critical mineral supply chains. He supported the development of GSA’s policy analysis and advocacy materials and organized opportunities for GSA members to engage directly with policymakers through initiatives such as Geosciences Congressional Visit Days (Geo-CVD) and the Geology and Public Policy Committee (GPPC).
Josh earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 2022, where he developed statistical models of the Earth’s core and extrapolated the results to exoplanetary conditions, and received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University in 2015. Josh is passionate about expanding the visibility and impact of the geosciences in federal policy, supporting both immediate legislative priorities and the long-term resilience of the geoscience community.
Learn more about the fellowship from 2021-2022 Science Policy Fellow Morgan Monz
Learn More from Past Fellows About the Experience
Exploring Science Policy through GSA
Christine Ray, GSA Today, Volume 33, Issue 6 (June 2023)
GSA Science Policy Fellow: Applying a Scientific Perspective to Policy
Morgan Disbrow-Monz, GSA Today, Volume 32, Issue 5 (May 2022)
Student and Early Career Professionals Update: GSA Science Policy Fellow: An Amazing Student Opportunity to Work on Geoscience Legislation
Connor Dacey, GSA Today, Volume 31, Issue 3-4 (March-April 2021)
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.
