James Marshall Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship

The SPSSI James Marshall Public Policy Fellowship trains early career scientists to contribute to the effective use of scientific knowledge about social issues in the formation of public policy at the federal level, educate the scientific community about how research can contribute to the development of public policy, and establish a more effective liaison between social scientists and various policymaking mechanisms. This position is supported, in part, by an endowment provided to SPSSI by the James Marshall Fund. The fellowship provides support for a postdoctoral-level fellow to work full-time for one year in the United States Congress in Washington, DC. The Marshall Fellow uses psychological research to inform the public policymaking process while working full-time in a congressional office. The fellow participates in activities involving the application of psychological research to analyze specific social policies and develop science-informed policy, with past fellows engaging in drafting legislation, writing speeches and talking points, planning hearings, meeting with constituents and outside groups, and conducting background research. The James Marshall Fellowship program is affiliated with the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program, which provides fellows with an orientation to federal policymaking in early September and access to professional development opportunities and support throughout the fellowship year and beyond. AAAS also facilitates the congressional placement process in mid-September, assisting fellows with identifying and establishing placements in Congress that align with their interests and expertise. Marshall Fellows have multiple points of contact with SPSSI over the course of their fellowship year, including communication with SPSSI's Policy Director, the SPSSI Policy Committee, and SPSSI members. Fellows are expected to attend the mid-winter SPSSI Council Meeting, the June SPSSI Council Meeting, and the SPSSI Conference.