Science Policy for PhD-Trained Scientists

In this special livestream, Steph Guerra, PhD and Dan Pomeroy, PhD discuss “Science Policy for PhD-Trained Scientists”, the Harvard Medical School Scientific Citizenship Initiative (SCI) study they produced with Jason Heustis, PhD.

Steph and Dan discuss a variety of science policy and career development issues, including:

The vision, mission, and goals of SCI – what led to its creation and what it hopes achieve 

The main themes of the study that emerged in terms of the traits, knowledge and skills that are key for PhD-trained scientists to have in order to be successful in the policy world

How the research findings compared to the in-real-life experiences of both Steph and Dan, both former AAAS Fellows

How the pandemic has altered the attitudes or interests of PhD-trained scientists when it comes to getting involved in science policy

Some of the barriers they experienced or witnessed when it comes to scientists entering the policy world

How science-based evidence and credible data are viewed and used (or not) by policymakers when policies are being developed

Lessons they wished they had learned BEFORE starting their science policy journey that perhaps would have made the transition or early experiences easier

One thing listeners can do after the livestream to improve their science policy skills, even if it’s just a small, incremental thing