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Nathan Foster
Tufts University
AIP FYI Science Policy Communications Intern
American Institute of Physics
Final presentation
Nathan Foster_ SPS Presentation 2018.pdf
Abstract:
As an intern for FYI Science Policy News, I helped report on the many connections between the science community and the Federal government. One of the most important connections is science funding. Universities, government labs, and a phalanx of private corporations rely on Federal funding, all of which passes through just a few Congressional committees. I was able to see many different venues where the discussion surrounding research funding plays out, including coalition meetings AIP participates in, Congressional markups of spending bills, and a publication event held in a lobbyist’s office for a report celebrating the Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Sciences division. Beyond funding, I helped write about science policy issues such as the open access/open science movement. My presentation will focus on three key questions: what science gets funded? Who decides what gets funded? And who benefits from funding?
I am a recent graduate of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts with a BS in Physics. While I do not yet know what I will be doing next year, I hope to combine my passions for physics and public policy with my desire to have a positive impact on the world. In addition to studying physics, I served in Tufts University’s student government as a trustee representative, advocating for tuition affordability and a stronger student voice in decision-making. I have also worked as a legislative intern in the Massachusetts State House for the amazing Rep. Christine Barber, as a research assistant for mathematicians working to combat gerrymandering through the Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group, and as a news production intern for the Somerville Media Center.
As the AIP Science Policy News Intern this summer, I am excited to learn the ins and outs of Federal science policy, hang out with my fellow interns, and meet interesting people. I am looking forward to exploring Washington DC, but not so much to the humidity.