{"id":99789,"date":"2024-09-21T17:36:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=99789"},"modified":"2026-07-24T11:18:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:18:43","slug":"science-policy-and-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/career-exploration-transition\/science-policy-and-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Science Policy and Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Introductory Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/policy-analysts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy Analysts<\/a> &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Iljrn300qGc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">From a PhD in biomedical sciences to Science Policy Advisor<\/a>, 5-min video.<\/li>\n<li>Note that people working in various agencies also impact science policy (AAAS, American Associations, Funding Agencies, etc.) &#8211; to see an example, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/day-life-scientific-foundation-strategic-leader\">A day in the life of a scientific foundation strategic leader<\/a>, Science Careers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biomedicalprograms.georgetown.edu\/blog\/phd-policy-careers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy Careers for PhDs<\/a>, Georgetown Biomedical Graduate Education Blog Article.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashg.org\/advocacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Advocacy Resources and Work &#8211; American Society of Human Genetics<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gocivico.com\/policy-pathways\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Learn about policy pathways (identification, formulation, implementation) in the US with Civico<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Venturing further in this career area<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rDcta20igH0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">From a Science PhD to Science Policy<\/a>, 1-hour panel discussion video.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-3-031-50694-9_3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My Career Evolution from Biologist to Governmental Relations Professional<\/a>, Book chapter.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/medical-careers\/careers-government-agencies-phd-graduates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Science Policy\/Government<\/a> &#8211; resources for PhD graduates, AAMC.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ccst.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/CCST-Alumni-Science-Policy-Career-Guide-Feb-2020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A 76-page guide of policy careers for scientists<\/a>, CCST Alumni.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Learning by doing job-related tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Job Simulations are job-related tasks that can be completed in a few hours, to help you assess how enjoyable and how much of a good fit a specific job could be for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Intersect Job Simulations<\/a> have been created by PhDs for PhDs, to support their career transitions into a wide range of careers. To make the most of job simulations, please set up <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SMART Goals<\/a> to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/reflection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Self-Reflection Sheet<\/a>, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/policy-science-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy Fellowship Job Simulation<\/a> (Writing Legislative Science Notes).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/science-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy Advocate Job Simulation<\/a> (Composing a Fact Sheet).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/science-advocacy-data-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Data Collection for Advocacy<\/a> &#8211; Job Simulation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/science-policy-course\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Policy Course Development<\/a> &#8211; Job Simulation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/advocacy-lobbying\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Advocacy &#8211; Lobbying Job Simulation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/advocacy-power-mapping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Advocacy &#8211; Power Mapping Job Simulation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/humanities-simulations\/visualizing-data-annual-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visualizing data for an annual report<\/a> &#8211; Job Simulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Preparing your transition into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-019-01332-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Focus on your skills<\/a>, Nature article.<\/li>\n<li>Explore and leverage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchamerica.org\/advocacy-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">advocacy tools from Research!America<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Consider getting involved in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/student-life\/organization\/stepup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BU Science Policy Network<\/a> (BUSPN).<\/li>\n<li>Interact with Neuroscience Advocates through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfn.org\/advocacy\/us-advocacy-programs\/early-career-policy-ambassadors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Society for Neuroscience&#8217;s Early Career Policy Ambassador 10-month program<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Explore fellowships supporting the transition into policy:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/pardee\/community\/graduate-summer-fellows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduate Summer Fellowship<\/a> (BU Pardee) &#8211; this Summer Fellowship is for all BU graduate students willing to work on a future- and policy-oriented project over a summer.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aibs.org\/policy\/science-fellowships.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AIBS Public Policy Resources, Training, and Fellowships for graduate students<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovermagazine.com\/the-sciences\/policy-fellowships-for-scientists-and-engineers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Policy fellowships for Scientists and Engineers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.profellow.com\/fellowships\/30-fellowships-in-us-government-for-recent-graduates-and-young-professionals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fellowships in US Government for recent graduates and young professionals<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biophysics.org\/policy-advocacy\/congressional-fellowship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Congressional Fellowship &#8211; Biophysics Society<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchamerica.org\/careers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Policy Internship and Fellowship at Research!America<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/connect-mentors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BU Mentors and Alumni<\/a> who have transitioned into this career area.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mymedia.bu.edu\/playlist\/dedicated\/207936103\/1_9emp2sqk\/1_2lldbf4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Analyze job descriptions<\/a> to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.<\/li>\n<li>Study company and institution websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.<\/li>\n<li>Growing your network and <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/infointerviewguide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">having informational interviews<\/a> with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job&#8217;s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introductory Resources Policy Analysts &#8211; key definitions, skills, general info&#8230;, BU Vault. From a PhD in biomedical sciences to Science Policy Advisor, 5-min video. Note that people working in various agencies also impact science policy (AAAS, American Associations, Funding Agencies, etc.) &#8211; to see an example, check out A day in the life of a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20577,"featured_media":0,"parent":99331,"menu_order":20,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99789"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99789"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108737,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99789\/revisions\/108737"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}