John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship

The John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship was created in 2006, in collaboration with Neta Bahcall, to provide an opportunity for early-career astronomers to gain experience in the world of science policy and to augment the advocacy programs of the society. The Bahcall Fellowship is currently a one-year postdoctoral level appointment, renewable for a second year.

The Fellow works in partnership with the Director of Public Policy to coordinate the public policy activities of the AAS. Responsibilities include:

  • Direct advocacy for issues in the astronomical sciences with Congress, the Administration, and others
  • Building and maintaining relationships with key policy people related to the astronomical sciences (Congressional staff, White House staff, federal agency staff, National Academies, etc.)
  • Supporting the work of the Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy (CAPP), Division policy committees, and Society and Division leadership
  • Coordination of multiple Congressional visits days for groups of AAS members
  • Coordination of educational briefings and exhibitions on Capitol Hill
  • Drafting of congressional testimony, letters to policymakers, AAS Board resolutions, and advocacy materials
  • Developing and implementing policy sessions for AAS annual meetings
  • Authorship of the AAS Policy Blog, policy-related AAS social media, and AAS Action Alerts and Informational Emails
  • Delivering invited colloquium talks at college/university departments and other institutions around the country
  • Representing the AAS in a number of science and technology coalitions, including taking on occasional leadership roles for special events or initiatives
  • Attendance at policy-related events: receptions, Congressional hearings, coalition meetings, conferences, briefings, advisory committee meetings, colloquia, etc.
  • Monitoring developments across the astronomical science community in major scientific results, priorities, challenges, and concerns that relate to federal policies and funding

Applications for the 2023 Bahcall Fellowship are now open. 

Questions about the position should be directed to:

Bethany Johns
Deputy Director of Public Policy, Interim Acting Director
[email protected]

Additional Science policy fellowships are listed here.

Bahcall Fellows

Julie Davis
2021-2023
Current Position: Federal Relations Senior Associate, American Physical Society

Kelsie Krafton
2019-2021
Current Position: Program Officer, Space Studies Board, National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Ashlee Wilkins
2017-2019
Current Position: Professional Staff, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, US House of Representatives
 

Heather Bloemhard
2015-2017
Current Position: Assistant Director of Federal Relations, Vanderbilt University
 
Joshua H. Shiode
2013-2015
Current Position: Chief of Staff, Office of Science, US Department of Energy
 
Bethany Johns
2010-2012
Current Position: Deputy Director of Public Policy & Interim Acting Director, American Astronomical Society
 
Anita Krishnamurthi
2009-2010
Current Position: President, Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS), Afterschool Alliance
 
Marcos Huerta
2008-2009
Recent Position: Manager of Data Science, CarMax
 
L. Jeremy Richardson
2007
Current Position: Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity Program, Rocky Mountain Institute