Project abstract: aaas science & technology policy fellowships at national institute of justice (NIJ) 2024-2025 - building s & t leadership to support evidence-based policy and practice

The american association for the advancement of science (aaas) will place science & technology policy fellows at the national institute of justice (NIJ) through the science & technology policy fellowships program (stpf), over the period of 1 september 2024 through 31 august 2025, to support the NIJ goal to increase the number of scientists aware of the challenges of crime and justice and engaged to address those challenges. Stpfs mission is to connect science with policy and foster a network of science and engineering leaders who understand government and policymaking and are prepared to develop and execute solutions to address societal challenges. Through public service professional development, stpf empowers competitively selected scientists and engineers to contribute knowledge and analytical skills to federal agencies and offices while they learn first-hand about the use of s & t in federal government decision-making, and the creation, implementation and evaluation of federal policies, regulations, and programs. Fellows placed at the NIJ contribute expertise, analytical talent, and external perspectives and connections to nijs core purpose to improve knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science. Aaas stpf fellows will be assigned responsibilities within one or more of nijs three science offices depending on the interests of the science offices and the interests of the fellows. Regardless of placement, fellows will have the opportunity to work across offices. To date, thirteen aaas stpf fellows have been placed at the NIJ. Since 1973, aaas has trained more than 50 classes of stpf fellows, placing approximately 4,700 highly qualified scientists and engineers in the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the U.S. Government. Fellows' feedback attests that the experience enhances their capacity to engage more effectively on a broad spectrum of issues at the intersection of science and policy, with a wide range of non-scientific stakeholders. Fellows conclude their embedded professional development experience with an understanding of U.S. Government programs and initiatives; the many factors affecting policy; and the critical importance of research, applied science, and outreach that address social, economic and environmental challenges, support public policy, and contribute to the the wellbeing of the nation and citizens around the world.