2023 CIVIC SCIENCE CLINIC
Beginning Summer 2023: SCi will pilot a new experiential learning program: the Civic Science Clinic (CSC). This pilot will incorporate and expand upon SCi’s successful Massachusetts Summer Science and Technology Policy Fellowship (MASSTPF) pilot. It will provide opportunities for STEM graduate students to serve as fellows in either the Massachusetts State House or at Boston-based community organizations.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
SERVE IN A BOSTON-BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Boston-based Community Organization Fellows will work with their host organization to create a defined project resulting in substantive work plan. Fellows assignments vary, but may include research on science and technology-related topics, drafting memos or reports, engaging with community stakeholders, and serving as scientific advisors to the organization. Each fellow will be assigned a supervisor from the community organization. This fellowship is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated students to gain professional scientific community engagement experience and have a positive impact on the greater Boston community.
2023 Community Organizations: Fenway Health, Eastie Farms, Essential Partners
SERVE IN THE MA STATE HOUSE
Massachusetts State House fellows serve in the office of a legislator or committee focused on policies that require input from a diverse set of scientific fields. Fellows report to a senior staff member within the host office, such as the Chief of Staff, Policy Director, or Legislator. Fellows’ assignments vary based on host office needs, but include tasks such as, researching relevant science and technology-related policy areas, identifying the political dimensions of policies. drafting reports, memos, and testimony for legislative hearings, interacting with constituents, advocates, and community groups, and attending formal legislative activities such as hearings or House and Senate Sessions. This fellowship is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated students to gain professional science policy experience and impact state-level policy.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Please browse through the programmatic details to learn more.
- The fellowship will be half-time, for 20 hours a week through 10 weeks during the summer.
- The expected dates of the fellowship are May 29 through mid-August.
- Weekly schedules will be determined based on the needs of the host organization or office and the fellow. The program will require both remote and in-person work.
- Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend for their commitment.
The 2023 application process is now closed.
SCi will hold a competitive application process open to STEM graduate students at Harvard. SCi will select prospective fellows who will then interview directly with their preferred hosts (either community partner organizations or legislative offices). Student and hosts will rank their preferences and SCi will suggest pairings. Once the student and host mutually agree on a placement, the student will develop summer work plans with both the host and their academic advisor. SCi will review the work plan and if approved the fellowship will begin.
Prior to the May 29 start date, fellows will be required to participate in a one day training program. In this training, students will learn important skills for stakeholder engagement, bi-directional learning, ethical community engagement, and equitable public policy development.
SCi will provide fellows ongoing mentorship throughout the summer from practitioners who have deep experience in fields related to their fellowship placement. Mentorship meetings will be held every other week responsive to fellows’ career goals. Fellows will also be asked to conduct activities such as journal reflections, that surface key aspects of the experience through structured questions. The mentors will also be available for individual meetings by request.
Fenway Health
Fenway Health “advocates for and delivers innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education, centering LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities.” Fenway Health is interested in providing project-based learning related to student interests. Examples include everything from learning about the administrative side of healthcare, working on policy and advocacy, and conducting research (lit reviews, building toolkits, etc.). In addition, Fenway is entering its second year of a strategic plan and has identified key initiatives, some of which they need help and expertise to complete.
Eastie Farm
Eastie Farm is “dedicated to pursuing climate justice, improving food access, and fostering community resilience through the development of interactive urban agricultural spaces and environmental education programs in which residents of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to learn and take part in the production of healthy, locally-grown, and culturally relevant foods.” Eastie Farm is interested in hosting a fellow to analyze the impact of their work (both on the community level and environmental impact). A fellow would attend community meetings to listen to the concerns and feedback of residents in the area and may be able to integrate with their summer program on urban farming.
Essential Partners
Essential Partners (EP) works to “give people the means to strengthen relationships, deepen belonging, and renew hope in their communities.” EP engages directly with up to 40 communities per year on projects that last anywhere from a few days to a few years. They are interested in hosting a fellow with capacity and skills to help support some of these projects, that may or may not be in Boston. For example, some of their projects focus on issues such as healthcare in rural areas.