AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop
Every year, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) hosts the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop, an opportunity sponsored by a coalition of scientific and engineering societies, universities, and academic organizations for upper-class undergraduate and graduate students in science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines to learn about science policy and advocacy. The AAS sponsored one student to participate in 2016, two in 2018, one in 2019, and will be sponsoring up to two students in 2020. Sponsorship includes travel to and lodging in Washington, DC, for the duration of the workshop and the workshop registration fee, which covers meals throughout the workshop.
CASE is an entry-level program to educate students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields with limited experience and knowledge of science policy and advocacy, who are interested in learning about the role of science in policy-making. The workshop is designed to introduce participating students to the federal policy-making process and to empower them to become a voice for basic research throughout their careers. On the final day of the workshop, AAS-sponsored student(s) will hold meetings with Congressional offices on Capitol Hill, accompanied by the AAS Bahcall Public Policy Fellow, Kelsie Krafton.
The 2020 CASE Workshop will be held at the AAAS Headquarters in Washington, DC, 29 March − 1 April. Applications are now being accepted for participation with AAS at the 2020 CASE Workshop. Applications are due by Tuesday, 21 January.
Check the AAAS page about the CASE Workshop to learn more about the program, including information about how you or a student you know can participate in future workshops.
The 2016 AAS-sponsored participant, Kevin Cooke, wrote about his experience for the Policy Blog.
Applying for CASE with AAS
To apply for the AAS sponsorship you must be:
- an AAS member,
- an upper-level undergraduate student (junior, senior, or equivalent) or a graduate student,
- interested, but not necessarily experienced, in science policy, and
- available to arrive in Washington, DC in time for the workshop start Sunday evening (29 March) and remain until the conclusion of the Congressional visits Wednesday (1 April).
The 2020 application consists of:
- résumé or CV of no more than 2 pages, and
- Statement of Interest of no more than 300 words
This is an entry-level program, and therefore may not be appropriate for students who already have had an introduction to science policy and policymaking. Students who have had an introduction to science policy and policymaking and who are interested in learning more about these topics should check our list of Science Policy Opportunities, consider volunteering for the 2020 AAS Congressional Visits Day, and/or get in touch with the AAS Public Policy Office. If this leaves you unsure if you should apply, then please email the AAS Public Policy Office to discuss.
Completed applications are due by 11:59 pm 21 January 2020.