Find Your Center: From Bench to Bill

When people think about science policy, they might picture a one-way relationship: scientists make discoveries, and policymakers decide how to use them. But according to Antonia Kowalewski, co-president of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Science Policy Group, that's only one side of the coin. 

"Science policy has a huge impact on what science actually gets done, and who actually does it," Kowalewski said, referencing how government funding decisions can shape entire research fields, sometimes before an experiment even begins. 

This two-sided relationship is the focus of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Science Policy Group, which introduces graduate students to the world of science policy, regardless of their field or experience level. Led by co-presidents and PhD students Antonia Kowalewski and Danielle Grey-Stewart, the group hosts career panels, public lectures, a flagship annual trip to Washington, DC, and more, all designed to help Harvard Griffin GSAS students understand science policy, how they might get involved in it, and how their work fits into the policy ecosystem. 

The group's mission feels especially urgent today, as research at Harvard and peer institutions has been directly affected by recent funding decisions by the federal government. Each year, the group's focus shifts based on member interest; past years have spotlighted environmental, health, and most recently, AI and technology policy.

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