Returning to my academic position after a rewarding year on Capitol Hill as an ACS Congressional Science Policy Fellow, I decided to use my newly-developed expertise to create an honors seminar course on the intersection between science and policy.  Taught to an evenly-distributed mix of science and non-science majors, the content features an insider’s perspective on the legislative branch of the government balanced with the science behind policy decisions.  Hot Topics sessions have focused on cutting-edge science issues such as CRISPR and gene editing, the creation of a national forensic genetic database and bioprivacy, and chemical weapons, as well as more longitudinal topics of climate, energy, water, and natural resources.  The writing assignments are nearly all the short products typically produced by Hill staffers, and writing one page briefing memos, vote recommendations, and meeting memo questions provides the students with unusual training in filtering information and writing concisely in contrast to the more common expansive products required in college.  The value of this type of course as well as more details will be presented.

A science policy course for undergraduates, or “What I did after my sabbatical”

2019 Fall National Meeting

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