The Year of Your Life--ASA, CSSA, and SSSA's Congressional Science Fellowship

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Congressional Science Fellowship (CSF) administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) was undoubtedly the most educational and rewarding year that I have experienced in my career thus far. Before applying for the CSF, I wanted to learn the process of how science influenced policy and vice versa—I have always believed that science is incredibly important in addressing world challenges, and I wanted to use my scientific skills and awareness while working in Congress. I was honored to serve as the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA CSF from 2009-2010 and selectively placed in Senator Richard Durbin’s (IL) office.

As a fellow, my role was to distill complex scientific information into usable policy recommendations. I was called upon for help with all scientific issues, but my daily responsibilities were for energy and environmental legislation. In an affectionate way, the staff and the Senator often called me “The Scientist.” I was the only person in an office of approximately 50 employees that had an advanced scientific degree. The majority of Senators and Hill staffers have law and or policy backgrounds. Thus, with my scientific background, I was able to provide these very intelligent people with a new perspective. They benefited from my investigative thinking, and I benefited by engaging in the most dynamic, real-world civics class imaginable. My daily tasks were diverse and included:

• briefing the Senator,
• drafting new legislation,
• building consensus behind the scenes on Senate votes,
• providing guidance for millions of dollars of appropriations money,
• inter-mediating between stakeholder interest groups and the federal agencies,
• writing talking points for the Senator to be used at public events and on the Senate floor,
• staffing the Senator at hearings,
• tracking the news and learning the stories before they hit the press,
• and helping constituent concerns.

The most memorable days at work were when I would teach the Senator about a scientific issue and then I would hear him describing this science to his fellow Senators. In summary, I highly recommend the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA CSF to all scientists, no matter the stage in your career. There is no better place to put to use the scientific process than in our country’s democratic system.

--Dr. Julie DeMeester

• From left to right, Senator Roland Burris (D-IL), Dr. DeMeester, and Senator Durbin (D-IL) are pictured above.
• The deadline for applying to the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA CSF is March 29, 2011. Please see more information here.

Quick Question and Answer on the UN-CSD

Q. What is the United Nation’s Commission on Sustainable Development (UN-CSD)?

A. “The United Nations’ Commission on Sustainable Development (UN-CSD) was created December, 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the 1992 United Nations’ Conference on Environment and Development (also called the UNCED or Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the UNCED, world leaders signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, endorsed the Rio Declaration and the Forest Principles and adopted Agenda-21, a 300-page plan for achieving sustainable development in the 21st century (UNCED documents). The UN-CSD's role has been to ensure effective follow-up of the Earth Summit and to monitor and report on implementation of the Earth Summit agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels.”

(additional information)

Q. How Does a CSD Work?

A. Each CSD is divided into issue areas known as thematic clusters. The thematic clusters change every two years. In 2008/2009, CSD-16 will focus on, Agriculture, Rural development, Land, Drought, Desertification, and Africa. The first year is referred to as a review year, during which stakeholders present key issues relevant to their countries/regions to the larger CSD body. The year ends with a Review Session held in New York, this year it will take place between May 5th-16th. At the Session, world leaders and government representatives listen to stakeholder presentations and discuss strategies to mitigate local and regional issues. The second year, in this case 2009, is dedicated to policy development relating to the thematic cluster.

Q. How will I, as a member, benefit from ASA-CSSA-SSSA contribution to the UN CSD?

A. The UN CSD-16 is currently in a policy review year. As part of this review, the U.S. is collating a National Report profiling domestic and international development best practices, case studies, and effective partnerships. Members of ASA-CSA-SSSA can submit case studies or best practices through ASA-CSSA-SSSA to the State Department to be profiled in the U.S. National Report or can register sustainability partnerships directly with the UN.

ASA-CSSA-SSSA hopes to participate in the Regional Implementation Meeting in Geneva in Geneva in January and to host learning sessions at the CSD, and participate in the CSD in May, 2008 at the UN in New York. With broad participation in the policy review year in 2008, ASA-CSSA-SSSA can influence the forthcoming policy debate at the UN CSD in 2009.