About Us
This event is hosted and organized by affinity groups of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows program
Lead Organizers
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Neuroscientist
Office of Multidisciplinary Activities within the Directorate for Social, Economic and Behavioral Sciences (SBE) at the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Human Paleobiologist
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Developmental Psychologist
Event Marketing
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Immunologist
Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Immunologist & Virologist
National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Cancer Researcher & Entrepreneur
Event Logistics & Coordination
Tammy Wilbert, PhD
Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) within the Directorate for Engineering, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Conservation Geneticist
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Microbiologist & Molecular Geneticist
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Educational Psychologist
Learn about our Affinity Groups
The Social Sciences Affinity Group (SSAG) is comprised of fellows who either have a social science research background and/or are applying social science research in their host office to exchange knowledge, resources, and ideas. SSAG invites guest speakers, hosts discussions of book clubs and podcasts, and shares resources in order to educate members about relevant social science topics and engage members in discussions both within and outside of their field of interest. Since our members represent a diverse set of backgrounds and federal agencies, our topics span a wide range of topic areas such as behavioral health, structural racism, child and family health, human-environment interactions and education. SSAG also hosts a variety of social events to connect members with like-minded fellows.
The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Affinity Group aims to enhance the development of fellows and their communities by encouraging a multi-directional exchange of values and ideas between fellows, the general population, and groups traditionally underrepresented in STEAM. To accomplish this task, the AAAS STEAM Team fellows have established three primary tenets: mentoring at K-12 schools, catalyzing diversity and inclusion with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and improving the communication and community engagement skills of participating fellows. The ultimate goal of the AAAS STEAM Team is to enable fellows, the general population, and groups traditionally underrepresented in STEAM to participate and feel a sense of belonging in the narrative and process of science.
The Biodiversity Affinity Group brings together fellows and alumni interested in any and all aspects of the planet's biological diversity to learn about and promote the conservation of species through a scientific and policy lens. We host webinars on the biodiversity-policy nexus, foster networking opportunities between current fellows and alumni, and (when safe/appropriate) organize in-person social events like museum trips and hiking excursions. Topics covered by recent events include how the post-pandemic recovery can support biodiversity and an overview of the domestic and international work on biodiversity by the various Departments and Agencies in the USG.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) provide opportunities to outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in the policy realm. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the federal government and represent a broad range of backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages. Each year, STPF adds to a growing corps over 3,400 strong of policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits, and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Americans, and has coincided with widespread social movements addressing racial and socioeconomic injustices across the United States.
This symposium not only offers timely and unique perspectives on health inequities worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but will provide strategies on how we can move forward together as a healthier, more equitable society in a post-pandemic world.