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Policy ContactAGU 2010–2011 Congressional Science Fellow
Jason Day and Ilya Fischhoff
AGU is sponsoring two Congressional Science Fellows for the 2010–2011 fellowship term for the first time in AGU history. The two fellows selected arere Jason Day, a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation, and Ilya Fischhoff, a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the US Agency for International Development.
Day, who has a Ph.D. in atomic, molecular, and optical physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is spending the year in the office of Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.). Fischhoff, who holds a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University, is working for Congressman Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Both were selected in March 2010 by AGU's Committee on Public Affairs after a competitive interview process.
In early September 2010, Day, Fischhoff, and other scientific societies' CSFs participated in a two-week crash course in politics and the legislative process, hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Then both Fellows were interviewed by a number of Congressional offices, before being offered their positions. Day and Fischhoff are legislative fellows, carrying out a range of duties such as crafting legislation, organizing Congressional hearings, advising Members of Congress on votes, meeting with lobbyists, and writing speeches. Fellows also are often asked to assist during committee hearings and on the U.S. House or Senate floors during legislative debates.