AGU 2003-2004 Congressional Science Fellow
Kevin Vranes is AGU’s Congressional Science Fellow for 2003-2004. Vranes, who finished his Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, will spend a year in Washington, DC working in the personal office of a senator or representative, or on the staff of a congressional committee.
In September, Vranes will join over 40 other scientists and engineers who can expect to serve as legislative assistants on Capitol Hill, carrying out a range of duties such as organizing congressional hearings, preparing legislation, advising on votes, meeting with lobbyists, writing press releases or speeches and occasionally answering constituent mail. As they gain the trust of the senator or representative, Congressional Science Fellows could be asked for assistance on the U.S. House or Senate floor during legislative debates. In some cases, Fellows have accepted offers to become permanent staff members following their Fellowships.
The Congressional Science Fellowship program educates both the scientific and governmental communities on the value of science-government interaction, promoting the more effective use of scientific knowledge in government, and providing a unique experience to scientists seeking careers involving public use of technical information. Vranes will be AGU’s 27th Congressional Science Fellow.
At Lamont-Doherty Vranes studied the physical oceanography of the Indonesian seas and the Indian Ocean and focused on its role in governing climate variability. Throughout his graduate career, Vranes has supplemented his science education with policy experiences. He worked with Columbia University’s Center for Hazards and Risk Research and Graduate School of Architecture to design a hazard mitigation plan for Caracas, Venezuela and also served as a Fellow of the Public Policy Consortium of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
In addition to climate change and oceanography, Vranes looks forward to working on topics ranging from water resources to natural hazards to bioengineering and nanotechnology. In applying for the Fellowship, Vranes noted: "I have been interested in the human dimensions of science research since I was an undergraduate and as a graduate student I have developed a keen interest in transforming basic research into effective public policy. I want to work to ensure that proper and effective science input exists with our national decision-making system. Personally and professionally, advising Congress on scientific issues would be my most satisfying post-doctoral step.”
Those interested in the AGU Congressional Science Fellowship Program should contact AGU Public Affairs, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20009, tel: +1-202-777-7509, fax: +1-202-328-0566, e-mail: pfolger@agu.org. The application deadline for the AGU 2004-2005 Congressional Science Fellowship is 1 February 2004 (see also http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/congress_fellows.html).
