Ecological Society of America Policy Award

What is the most money you’ve ever asked for?

For me, that number is in the billions.

My team in front of some of the offices we visited.

As a part of the Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award from the Ecological Society of America, I travelled to Washington, D.C. to speak with lawmakers about the importance of funding for science in this country. Together with other graduate students, I urged them to fully fund the National Science Foundation in the upcoming 2027 FY budget.

As a part of the award, I participated in an intensive science policy workshop led by researchers from the AAAS, Congressional Research Service, and USAID. Two of my fellow graduate students and I met with seven offices on Capitol Hill. I personally led meetings with staff members from the offices of Representative Morgan Griffith (VA- 9th District) and Senators Tim Kaine (VA) and Mark Warner (VA).

This trip catalyzed my interest in science policy. At the end of the experience I only wished I could do it again the next day.

My cohort and some of our policy trainers.

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