Sarah Welsh-Huggins has been accepted to the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF) program, and awarded a placement at the US Agency for International Development in the Office of Food for Peace. The AAAS STPF program aims to connect science with policy and foster a network of science and engineering leaders who understand government and policymaking, and are prepared to develop and execute solutions to address societal challenges.

Sarah will complete her fellowship by supporting the Office of Food for Peace as a technical expert in structural engineering. In her role she will manage the development and implementation of civil infrastructure projects that help to reduce food insecurity in vulnerable populations and build resilience in communities facing chronic poverty and recurring crises like drought.

As an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Sarah is among 275 scientists and engineers who will spend a year serving professionally in federal agencies and congressional offices. As highly trained scientists and engineers, the U.S. government benefits from the contributions of STPF fellows, while they learn first-hand about federal policymaking and implementation. The fellowships are operated as part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) mandate to advance science and serve society. The program aims to support evidence-based policymaking by engaging the knowledge and analytical mindset of science and engineering experts, and foster leaders for a strong U.S. science and technology enterprise.

Congratulations, Sarah!