BGS Career Development

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Penn Science Policy & Diplomacy Group

PSPDG Write-in Fly-by

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Join the Penn Science Policy & Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) on June 13, 12-1pm in Smilow 09-146A for a write-in fly-by! This event is an opportunity to pen your thoughts on a topic of interest in the current climate (political or otherwise) – in the form of post cards, op-eds, letters to the editor, etc.

Feel welcome to drop by, pen a post-card, grab some pizza and head back out or stay and write a letter to the editor. Students are encouraged to bring friends and colleagues and to take pictures of postcards and share them (and tag PSPDG! @UPennSciencePol).

“Application Process For A Policy Fellow” by Mara Olenick

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In a recent piece for the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy (PSPDG) blog, Mara Olenick, PhD (BMB) writes about her experiences applying for science policy fellowships. Anyone interested in pursuing science policy as a career will be interested to read Mara’s insights on using informational interviews to explore whether a fellowship is a good fit. Mara also shares strategies to manage the application timeline.

Read the full post here.

PSPDG, “How to Meet with Your Representative”

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The Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG) will host a workshop with Hannah Silverfine from the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

This workshop is aimed at anyone who is interested in being able to effectively lobby for their cause and meet with their representative in government (at the different levels), and make the whole process seem a lot less daunting.

Participants will learn the value of meeting decision makers and the necessary skills to craft a pitch.

When: Thursday, May 9, 2019, 12-1 PM
Where: BRB 251
Lunch provided!
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2VA5juY

BGS Professional Skills Series

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This year’s BGS Professional Skills Series will conclude with, ‘Science & International Diplomacy’, presented by Dr. Mahlet Mesfin, Deputy Director of the Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), on Thursday, May 16th, 4:00 – 5:30 PM in the Barchi Library (140 John Morgan). This event is co-sponsored by the Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group (PSPDG).

Dr. Mesfin will speak to the intersections of science, policy, and society. An alum of Penn (SEAS PhD ’11), Mesfin joined AAAS in May 2017.  She also serves as executive editor of the open-access policy journal Science & Diplomacy. Read more on her background here.

Light refreshments will be served! Please register here: https://forms.gle/wkibmCk5XbQjvNQs6
If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Lopez.

“Where Does Science Fit On Capitol Hill?” by Sam Sander Effron

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The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held their Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. this past February 14-18, 2019.

Sam Effron (CAMB) attended, and he shares his personal reflections on some of the meeting’s main themes (such as, “the collectivity of science, the intersection of science and policy, and the complexity of science communication”) via a series of blog posts.

The latest installment in Effron’s 3-part series explores the question, “Where Does Science Fit on Capitol Hill?” Though scientists may understand the need to contribute their expertise within the political sphere, many may not know where to begin. Effron describes the important connections one must forge in order to navigate bureaucratic red tape, such as with staffers, and delves into concepts such as “activated science” that are key for prompting action.

Read the entire article as well as the rest of the series on the PSPDG blog.