Since 2007, The Ecological Society of America’s Graduate Student Policy Award has provided graduate students with the opportunity to engage in policy at the federal level by meeting with their US Representative and Senators to discuss their ecological research as part of the annual Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) congressional visits. The award has often been a spring board to science policy fellowships and careers in public service that further embed recipients in policy engagement careers. To date, 30 ESA members have been recipients of the GSPA.

This interactive session will provide participants with an overview of the GSPA experience and an overview of opportunities to participate in public policy. Past GSPA recipients will share reflections on their BESC experience and how it has helped their careers. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with speakers on how to apply for the GSPA and various ways to engage in policy.