Science Policy, Soft Power, and Responsible Development: Reflections on the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office

Hybrid | Jason Delborne spent the 2023-24 academic year as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in Washington, DC, working at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office

Jason Delborne, PhD

Professor at NC State University | Profile Jason joined NC State in 2013 as a GES cluster faculty member and is tenured in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. His research focuses on stakeholder and public engagement surrounding emerging environmental biotechnologies, such as the genetically engineered American chestnut tree and genetic biocontrol for invasive species. He spent the 2023-24 academic year as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in Washington, DC, where he worked at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. This will be Jason’s final semester at NC State, as he will begin a new faculty position in science and technology policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Public Affairs in January 2025.

Abstract

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) provide opportunities to scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in the policy realm. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the federal government and represent a broad range of backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages. Each year, STPF adds to a growing corps nearly 4,000 strong of policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits, and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world. As an executive branch fellow, Jason Delborne spent the 2023-24 academic year on scholarly reassignment to the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. In this capacity, he learned about the practice of science and technology policy within an agency that exercised “soft power” to convene and coordinate federal research and development efforts on nanotechnology. In particular, he focused on the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s explicit goal of “responsible development,” organizing a workshop to reinvigorate a network of social scientists attending to nanotechnology. Jason will reflect on his experience and answer questions about the fellowship as a potential career path for graduate students in the social, natural, and physical sciences.

Related links:

• Science & Technology Policy Fellowships
• National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)
• Download seminar poster

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