The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has introduced an innovative new initiative in the science policy landscape: the Pathways to Policy Fellowship (PPF). This groundbreaking fellowship program represents the third major immersive opportunity by AAAS, complementing their well-established Science and Technology Policy Fellowship as well as the Mass Media Fellowship. Unlike its predecessors that place scientists primarily within federal government agencies or media outlets, the Pathways to Policy Fellowship expands the horizon by integrating scientific expertise into nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and eventually private sector entities. This strategic diversification reflects the increasing recognition that impactful science policy development relies not only on governmental action but also on a broad network of institutions shaping public discourse and policy implementation.
The foundational principle behind PPF is the critical role that scientific knowledge plays in addressing complex societal challenges. Science and technology continue to prove indispensable in confronting issues ranging from climate change to public health crises. Yet, traditional pathways for scientists to influence policy have been largely confined within governmental structures. The new fellowship model intentionally broadens this engagement, tapping into sectors that intersect significantly with policymaking but are outside the formal governmental apparatus. By situating fellows in key nonprofit and think tank environments, the program encourages a more versatile and responsive science-policy interface that can adapt to diverse policy implementation mechanisms.
The inaugural cohort of the Pathways to Policy Fellowship includes a diverse body of scientists and researchers, each contributing specialized skills to their respective host organizations. Chemist and plant-based specialist Priera Panescu has joined the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, where her expertise is poised to advance sustainable agricultural innovations. Environmental epidemiologist Thoin Begum is stationed at the Natural Resources Defense Council, advocating for robust integration of scientific data into environmental policy frameworks. Planetary geoscientist Ari Koeppel is driving initiatives at The Planetary Society, emphasizing the influence of space exploration on educational and environmental research paradigms. Meanwhile, psychology professor Cedar Riener contributes to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, focusing on the intersection of behavioral sciences and educational policy. Atmospheric scientist Natasha Dacic works with the Universities Research Association, advancing scientific collaboration and research infrastructure relevant to atmospheric and environmental sciences.
The duration of the fellowship is set at one year with an option to renew for an additional year, providing a sufficient timeframe for fellows to engage deeply with their host organizations and contribute meaningfully to science policy initiatives. This extended engagement model fosters continuity and allows fellows to cultivate substantive collaborations and networks within their placements. Furthermore, it supports a more comprehensive understanding of the policy environment and the mechanisms through which scientific advice is translated into actionable outcomes.
Rashada Alexander, director of fellowships at AAAS, highlights the timeliness of the program’s launch in a rapidly evolving policy environment. She stresses that “science and technology keep proving critical to address so many of the challenges we face,” positioning the program as a strategic vehicle to extend scientific expertise beyond traditional boundaries. The program is designed not simply as a career stepping stone but as a persistent conduit for impactful scientific engagement across multiple sectors, thereby enhancing the public and private sectors’ capacity to integrate rigorous scientific insight into decision-making processes.
One of the program’s notable features is its intentional sourcing of fellows from a broad spectrum of scientific and professional backgrounds. The AAAS leveraged its extensive network of Science and Technology Policy Fellowship alumni to identify organizations interested in hosting fellows, ensuring a rich mosaic of research disciplines and policy foci. This approach not only enriches the learning experience for the fellows but increases the potential reach and applicability of science policy across different domains such as environmental science, education policy, and space advocacy.
The initiative has already garnered significant interest from nonprofit and private sector organizations, signaling a shift toward more interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration in science policy. AAAS Project Director Errol Mazursky emphasizes the growing appeal of the program, noting that “a broad spectrum of organizations and institutions” have expressed eagerness to participate. This enthusiasm reflects a broader recognition within these sectors of the value that scientifically trained professionals bring to policy strategy, program development, and public engagement initiatives. The pilot cohort serves as a tangible example, enabling prospective partner organizations to envision their own roles within the fellowship framework.
Ari Koeppel, the planetary geoscientist placed at The Planetary Society, represents a particularly compelling case of how scientific expertise can be leveraged to sustain and enhance leadership in space exploration and STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) education. Koeppel’s motivation stems from observing the multifaceted impact of space missions, which extend far beyond their scientific objectives to influence environmental monitoring technologies and educational outreach programs. Through this fellowship, Koeppel aims to promote policies that support the continued advancement and inspiration derived from space science.
At the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Thoin Begum is actively contributing to an initiative focused on rebuilding and reimagining the role of science in shaping climate policy. Her work underscores the urgent need to reconcile scientific truth with public trust, which is essential for effective policy action on climate issues. Begum’s environmental epidemiology expertise is critical in developing evidence-based frameworks that address the complexities of climate change as well as public health impacts, enhancing the credibility and responsiveness of environmental policy advocacy.
The diverse backgrounds and placements of the fellows illustrate the broad applicability of science policy expertise across an expansive range of organizational forms. This versatility is essential in a policy landscape where challenges are increasingly interconnected and require collaborative approaches that transcend disciplinary and institutional silos. The fellowship’s design acknowledges the importance of a flexible “on-ramp” into science policy for scientists from academia, industry, and nonprofit sectors, while also ensuring that the “off-ramp” provides a variety of career paths enriched by policy experience.
The Pathways to Policy Fellowship stands as a visionary effort to embed science at the core of public and private policy formulation processes, thereby enhancing societal problem-solving capacity and innovation. As global challenges become ever more complex, programs like PPF provide critical infrastructures to harness scientific rigor for ethical and effective policymaking. Looking forward, AAAS envisions continued growth of this fellowship, including expansion into the private sector, to foster a comprehensive network of scientifically informed policy leaders equipped to meet the future’s pressing demands.
The launch of the PPF by AAAS signals a strategic evolution in how scientific expertise is mobilized to shape policy beyond the traditional governmental domain. This expansion reflects both the maturation of science policy as a field and a recognition that impactful science-informed policies require engagement with a multiplicity of stakeholders. In doing so, PPF not only advances scientific participation in policy but also reinforces the democratic imperative for inclusiveness and transparency in policy creation.
Given the increasing complexity of contemporary societal issues—from climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture to space exploration and public health—the role of scientists as policy advisors and advocates is more crucial than ever. The Pathways to Policy Fellowship epitomizes this evolving role, providing an adaptive platform where scientists can contribute not only knowledge but also strategic insight and leadership in diverse policy environments. This fusion of scientific expertise with policy acumen promises to accelerate innovation and enrich the public good on a global scale.
Subject of Research: Science policy and the integration of scientific expertise into public and private sector policymaking through immersive fellowship programs
Article Title: AAAS Launches Pathways to Policy Fellowship to Expand Scientist Engagement Across Sectors
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Keywords: Science policy, Public policy, Science and technology, Fellowship programs, Nonprofit sector, Science advocacy, Climate policy, Environmental science, STEMM education, Space exploration
