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
Joshua Martin will serve as a GSA-sponsored Congressional Science Fellow for the 2026–2027 fellowship cycle. Currently serving as GSA’s Science Policy Fellow, Josh has helped advance GSA’s engagement on issues including modern geologic mapping and its importance to national security, economic prosperity, and public safety.
Josh grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where visits to the Orton Geological Museum and the Center of Science and Industry sparked an early interest in science. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, along with minors in mathematics and physics, before completing his Ph.D. at The Ohio State University. His doctoral research focused on developing high-precision models of material properties for Earth and rocky exoplanets, and he also served as a Graduate Research Assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Josh’s interest in science policy grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to participate in science policy and science communication workshops and Geosciences Congressional Visit Days. Following completion of his Ph.D., he taught introductory geology courses at the University of Dayton, an experience that reinforced his interest in policies that strengthen higher education in the geosciences and across STEM fields. As a Congressional Science Fellow, Josh will bring his combined expertise in geoscience research, education, and policy to Capitol Hill. In his free time, Josh enjoys playing the saxophone, cooking, and reading at local coffee shops.
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.
