The Eagleton Institute of Politics – part of Rutgers University-New Brunswick – recently launched a science and politics fellowship that will allow PhD-level scientists and engineers to work on policy problems in New Jersey’s state government. Leaders from the Institute talk with ESAL about how fellows will support state policy-making efforts.

Computer scientist and physicist Dave Leichtman has been involved in political technology for over ten years. He helped build a tech volunteer group in his state to connect tech-savvy individuals with campaigns. Now, he is the vice chair for technology and communications of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

After more than a decade conducting research in neuroscience labs, Julianne McCall received a California Council on Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, where she worked with the state senate and assembly to advise policymakers on key issues. After her Fellowship she accepted a full-time position with the Senate Office of Research. Her work now focuses on scientific research administration policy and public health policy.

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) is a nonprofit public-service institution that provides expert guidance to the state of Connecticut, fosters STEM education, and promotes discourse among the state’s technical communities. This year it launched a new Policy Fellowship that provides a scientist or engineer the chance to work on critical issues in the state’s executive branch.

Maria Robinson uses her background in chemical engineering as a policy expert for a clean energy trade association. She spoke to us about running as a write-in candidate for state representative in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Sociologist Melanie Stansbury talks about the importance of connecting scientists with policy decision makers and shares her reasons for running for the New Mexico state legislature.

ESAL Founder Arti Garg writes about how her work with a municipal task force showed her the connection between local litter abatement and San Francisco Bay health. She encourages readers to learn the role their local government plays in the science policy issues that matter to them.

In this month’s Postcard, Terra White, PhD in Neurobiology & Behavior, wrote about her organization at University of California, Irvine., and the public forum they hosted last January, which 100 people attended.

Holly Williams believes outreach experiences are the perfect way to cut your teeth on community engagement. She has volunteered at the California Academy of Sciences as a science educator for nearly two years now. In this month's Story, she describes how she leveraged her STEM background in small ways and still made a big impact.