AAAS Summer Internship Opportunities
My Summer as an AAAS Intern: And You Can Do It Too!
By Ellen Dupont, Biology and Society major
As a Biology and Society undergrad seeking a summer internship, I wondered if it would be possible to find the kind of position that fit my interests – something that, like my major, focused not on science or society alone, but on the intersection of the two. Lucky for me (and for all you Bio & Society students out there), there are plenty of them. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has an amazing summer internship program, hosting interns in several of the programs and centers within their Science & Policy Programs:
Center for Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law
Center for Science, Technology, and Congress
Science and Human Rights Program
Center for Science, Technology, and Security Policy
Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion
Most of AAAS’s interns are unpaid, but their policy states that unpaid interns can’t be used as go-fers, so you won’t spend your summer taking orders for grande non-fat lattes or filing until you’re sidelined by carpal tunnel. I felt so bad for my harried bosses that I practically begged them to let me make copies or just staple something (anything!), but they wouldn’t. Instead, I drafted case studies highlighting government action to realize science-related human rights, and created reference documents that were used at a UNESCO meeting. Best of all, I worked with a program staff that was intelligent and extremely helpful, and in the company of other interns who were bright, friendly, and enthusiastic about the same issues I find so interesting. My theory is that AAAS internships are unpaid because their Human Resources office can’t figure out how to put a price on them – they’re invaluable.
Ellen DuPont
Senior, Biology & Society
Internship: AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, Summer 2009
The Center for Biology and Society has sent students to work with two of AAAS’s Science and Policy Programs: the Science and Human Rights Program and the Center for Scientific Freedom, Responsibility, and Law. Following are statements from Jessica Wyndham, the Article 15 Project Director for SHRP, and Mark Frankel, the Director of CSFRL.
Science and Human Rights Program and Interns
By Jessica Wyndham
The AAAS Science and Human Rights Program (SHRP) is dedicated to engaging individual scientists and scientific associations in human rights efforts; applying scientific tools and technologies to enhance human rights work (e.g. geospatial technologies); bringing human rights standards to the conduct of science; and promoting the human right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.
Past interns have conducted research into the human rights activities carried out by scientific organizations, drafted case studies on government initiatives to implement the right to the benefits of scientific progress; prepared training materials on human rights for scientists; and helped organize expert meetings, including by identifying and recommending speakers.
SHRP interns should have demonstrated research experience, strong writing skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, initiative, and attention to detail. SHRP seeks science/science policy students as interns, so knowledge of human rights is neither expected nor necessary. SHRP's experience with ASU interns has been exceptionally positive and we hope to be able to welcome more ASU students to the Program in the future. For further information about the SHRP internship program, go to: http://shr.aaas.org/internships.htm.
Interested students can contact the Science and Human Rights Program at shrp@aaas.org.
The Center for Scientific Freedom, Responsibility, and Law and Internships by Mark Frankel
The AAAS Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law Program (SFRL) focuses on the ethical, legal, and social issues associated with the conduct of research and with advances in science and technology. SFRL is committed to providing opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs, and law students to experience firsthand how issues at the intersection of science, ethics, and the law are addressed within a policy setting.
Interns work closely with AAAS staff on a variety of projects, helping to prepare proposals, organize meetings, contribute to publications, manage computer databases, obtain resource materials, and participate in on-going research. Recent projects include neuroscience seminars for judges and assessing the issues associated with medicine based on individual genetic profiles. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend relevant hearings and meetings in the Washington, D.C. area and write for the Program's newsletter, Professional Ethics Report. Successful intern applicants have a good work ethic, interest in science policy issues, the ability to multi-task, and a desire to get the most out of their time with us (a sense of humor is a real plus!). We have been pleased to have hosted interns from ASU and the Center for Biology and Society, and welcome new applications.
SFRL is unable to pay interns, but will accommodate students interested in receiving course credit. Scheduling is flexible, but interns are expected to work at least four days per week, for a minimum of 30 hours. Interns are recruited year-round, with the summer being the most competitive season.
Interested students should contact SFRL Program Director Mark Frankel at mfrankel@aaas.org.
Other programs and centers at AAAS that also host interns: