CCST Science Fellows
CCST Science Fellows Blog
California has one of the largest economies in the world, and so many critical issues facing our state today — water, energy, and public health, just to name a few — require a deep understanding of science.
Few California state legislators have backgrounds in science, engineering, or technology. Yet, they are asked to make decisions on issues with significant science and technology aspects. To help the California State Legislature make the most informed decisions for the state’s citizens and resources, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has created the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program.
Now in its tenth year, the CCST Science Fellows program helps the California State Legislature access some of the talent and staff they need to make informed decisions. Whether you’re a prospective applicant, an interested funder, a staff member, legislator, or an advocate, we hope this blog offers you a glimpse into our Fellowship experience, and a deeper appreciation for the valuable resources and programs that CCST strives to provide to California’s policymakers and citizens.
If our Fellowship mission has sparked new ideas and new possibilities in your own vision and mission, we would love to hear from you. Thank you for following us, and we’ll see you here and on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
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California Wildfires: Lessons from Field Work in Baja California, Mexico
The 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons in California were the most destructive on record raising a number of complex policy issues across a wide range of topics. I recently had the opportunity to learn about one of these major areas—forest management practices—firsthand by spending a week in Baja California, Mexico with UC Berkeley’s Dr. Scott […]
Update: Deadline Extended – CCST Seeks Outside Expertise to Evaluate Fellowship Program
California Council on Science & Technology looking for outside expertise to evaluate the impact of the CCST Science Fellows Program SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 15, 2019 | CONTACT: Teresa Feo, Program Associate, [email protected]
, (916) 492-0996 An initiative of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) since 2009, the CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program (CCST […]
CCST Welcomes the 2019 Science Fellows
Ten PhD scientists have taken the leap from the lab bench, field station, and computer desk to explore a year of public service and government leadership training in Sacramento, working as legislative staff in the California State Legislature in 2019. We are proud to introduce to you the 2019 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship — a program […]
Farewell to the 2018 CCST Science Fellows
A common question posed to CCST Science Fellows outside of the Legislature is “What do Science Fellows Do?” For the 2018 Class of CCST Science Fellows, the answer to this question was just about everything! CCST Science Fellows participate in key policy and budget negotiations. Chris Francis, placed in the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, […]
Now Open: Applications for CCST’s Science & Technology Policy Fellowship in Sacramento
CCST is seeking PhD scientists and engineers for a year of public service and government leadership training in the California State Legislature. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | CONTACT: Annie Morgan, [email protected] The California Council on Science and Technology is now accepting applications for the 2020 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. Completed applications are due by February 28th, 2019. […]
Interested in #SciPol? Attend Our Webinar for Prospective CCST Science Fellows, Oct. 22nd
Update: Audio of webinar now available here. Are you a scientist or engineer seeking career training in the public policy realm? Want to gain real-world experience working with leaders in the California state government? Then join us on October 22nd to learn about our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship: CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Virtual Info Session […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: Making the Transition from Science to Policy
Teresa Feo, PhD,is a member of the 2018 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Feo received a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, a BA in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, and she most recently completed a research fellowship at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Feo’s fellowship placement […]
From Ecology to Science Policy: Learn About the CCST Science Fellows Program at #ESA2018 This August
With the fifth largest economy in the world and nearly 40 million residents, California’s policies often have rippling effects far beyond its state borders, especially in the realms of environment, energy, and technology. So what’s it like being an ecologist-turned-policy staffer wading into the dynamic ecosystem that is the California state government? If you’re a […]
Calling California Grad Students and Postdocs: Apply for the CCST Climate Science Translators Showcase!
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | CONTACT: Ben Landis, [email protected] | Download This Announcement (PDF) CCST is excited to seek scientists and engineers in training for the CCST Climate Science Translators Showcase, held in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit hosted by Governor Jerry Brown in San Francisco in September 2018. The invited presenters will partake in […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: Finding My Place in the Diverse Dynamism of California Policy
Dylan Chapple, PhD, is a member of the 2018 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Chapple received a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from UC Berkeley, a BA in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz, and he most recently worked for the nonprofit Point Blue Conservation Science in Petaluma, California. Chapple’s […]
CCST Science Fellows are Effective Model for Bringing Science to State Government, Says Science Magazine Editorial
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program was hailed as a strong and effective model for bringing sorely needed science and technology expertise to state legislatures around the country in an editorial written for Science Magazine by Mary Maxon, Associate Laboratory Director for Biosciences at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and CCST Board Member Bruce Alberts, chancellor’s leadership chair […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: Taking First Steps
Amy Gilson, PhD, is a member of the 2018 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard University and completed a PhD minor in Science, Technology, and Society Studies from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She received a BS in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. Gilson’s […]
CCST Founding Champions Pen PNAS Piece on “How to Bring Science and Technology Expertise to State Governments”
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and CCST are helping other U.S. states establish their own state-level science policy fellowships, 10 years after adapting the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program into the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program for California. Much of this effort has been informed by the fundamental lessons learned from […]
CCST Announces Senator Nancy Skinner as Inaugural Recipient of "Science in Policy Mentorship Award"
California State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) accepted the CCST Science in Policy Mentorship Award.
Timely Science Explained Clearly at State Capitol: Feb. 20th “Translators Showcase” to Connect California Grad Students with Members, Staff
CCST has invited 15 talented graduate students and postdocs for its inaugural “California Science Translators Showcase”.
Ten Scientists Go to Sacramento: Welcome Our 2018 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows!
Dear Friends and Colleagues, Ten PhD scientists have taken the leap from the lab bench and the field station to explore a year of public service and government leadership training in Sacramento, working as legislative staff in the California State Legislature in 2018. I am so proud to introduce to you the 2018 Class of our […]
Talk to CCST Science Fellows at 2018 #AAASmtg in Austin—Then Apply for Program by Feb. 28!
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will host its 2018 Annual Meeting in Austin February 15th through 19th. The conference theme this year is “Advancing Science; Discovery to Application” — and CCST staff, CCST Science Fellows, and CCST Science Fellows alumni will be participating. Join us at the CCST Exhibit Booth, #1524, from Friday through […]
Farewell, 2017 CCST Science Fellows! The 2017 Fellowship Year: Minutes, Moments, and Memories
Mike Peterson, PhD is a 2017 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow. Peterson received his PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley, where he studied the biodiversity of rivers and the accumulation of toxic pollutants in wildlife. Peterson completed his MS in Environmental Science at Western Washington University, and his BA in […]
Life Before #CAleg: 2017 CCST Science Fellows Share Their PhD Pasts (Part 3)
The 2017 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows have completed their fellowship year! As they continue their professional path in or beyond Sacramento, we take a look back at their life before the Legislature, and the journeys that shaped them into talented thinkers and amazing human beings. See what experiences and insights […]
PhD Scientists Interested in Public Policy: CCST Science Fellows Applications Now Open!
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | CONTACT: Annie Morgan, [email protected] | Download This Announcement (PDF) The California Council on Science and Technology is now accepting applications for the 2019 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. Completed applications are due by February 28th, 2018. The CCST Science Fellows program is open to those holding a PhD or equivalent degree in science and engineering, […]
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To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.
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